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Phone (202) 872-0060 Fax (202) 466-9064 Telex 64514 Cable Clements/Washington AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE. ASSOCIATION PASSPORTGATE Governing Board President: WILLIAM A. KIRBY State Vice President: JOSEPH H. MELROSE JR. There is at least one positive aspect of the then-Governor Clinton passport AID Vice President: CAREY COULTER caper—its timing. With the press still reporting on this sad affair (due in USIA Vice President: RA/.VIGOR BAZALA Retiree Vice President. Cl I ARLES A. SCHMITZ particular to the appointment of an independent counsel), there is the hope that Secretary: ANNE WOODS PATTERSON the new administration will take to heart some obvious lessons. Treasurer: JOSEPII IIUGGINS State Reptvsentatives: CAT! IF.RINF. BARKY PAULA BOYD JONATHAN FARRAR Reverse politicization of the State Department The proportion of HARRY GALLAGHER political appointees has been steadily rising. According to David Corn, writing ROBERT PERRY AID Representatives: WILLIAM I). MCKINNEY in the January 10 Washington Post Outlook section, in 1973, 11 of 63 deputy JAMES DEMPSEY IISIA Representative: LAUREN HALE assistant secretaries were political appointees, while by 1984 that proportion Retired Representatives. PATRICIA M. BYRNE had risen to 59 of 136, or almost half. Career employees have no problem with DANIEL NEWBERRY DONALD R. NORLAND political appointments perse. Indeed, we have traditionally welcomed them and DAVID SCHNEIDER worked closely with them. However, such appointees should be limited in Staff number, of the highest quality, and clearly qualified to serve in the positions to Executive Director: SUSAN REARDON Business Department which they are appointed. At a time when the national interest depends more Controller. CATHY FREGELETTE than ever on creative diplomacy, nothing less than the best possible departmen¬ Administrative Miayutger SANDRA KARLOWA Office Manager JUDY SHINN tal leadership will do. Accounting Assistant. SI IEREE E. BEANE Administrative Assistant: DIANNA DUNBRACK ILxca it ire Assistant. TARA GADOMSK1 Don’t try to “hide” questionable appointments. Did anyone seriously think four years ago that it would be acceptable to reward partisan political l egal Services legal Counsel. SHARON PAPP loyalty with an assistant secretaryship, since the bureau in question was “only” Staff Attorney: COLLEEN FALLON law Clerks: EDWIN GANIA Consular Affairs—an area that relies so heavily on experience derived from PATRICIA A. MALONE years of hands-on involvement? Particularly at this time of global change and Member Services Director JAMES YORKE tight resources, it is precisely our operational and managerial bureaus that Representatives. DEBORAH M. LEAHY JULIE SMITH LINE require leaders who know how things really work on the ground. DEREK TERRELL Membership Director: JANET L. HEDRICK Ensure the integrity of the Operations Center. The Ops Center exists to Representative: LAURIE A. McMICIIAEL guarantee that American diplomacy is able to function around the clock and that Professional Issues: RICHARD S. THOMPSON

our senior officials can stay in touch with fast-breaking developments around Retiree Liaison: WARD THOMPSON

the globe. Never has that function been more important than in the uncertain Congressional Liaison: RICK WEISS world in which we are now operating. The instructions by which it operates Scholarships and Development Director: GAIL VOLK must be clear and simple and must allow no room for even the appearance of Coordinator. MICHAEL DAILEY impropriety. Anything less, as we have seen, raises unnecessary questions and Speaker's Bureau and International Associates: GIL K! TICK is unfair to the top-quality men and women who work there. Conferences: JOI IN J. 11 AFTER JASON FELDMAN The American Foreign Service Association, founded in 1924, — WILLIAM A. KIRBY is the professional association of the Foreign Service and the official representativ e of all Foreign Service employees in the Department of State and the Agency for International Devel¬ opment under the terms of the Foreign Service Act of 1980. Active or Retired memlxrship in AFSA is open to all current or retired employees of the US. foreign affairs agencies. Associate meml>ership is open to persons having an interest in or close association with the Foreign Service. Annual dues: Active Members—$80-165: Retired Members—545-55; Asso- i iate Members—5 45. All AFSA members are memlxirs of the Foreign Service Club. Please note: AFSA dues and Legislative Action Fund donations may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense for federal income tax purposes. Scholarship and AFSA Fund donations are deductible as charitable contributions. AMI'HICAS FORHC.N SKHVICK ASSOCIATION, 2101 E Street NW. Washington. D.C. 2003- Executive offices, membership, professional issues, scholarship programs, insurance pro¬ grams, JOI’RNALoffices: (202) 338-1045. Governing Board, standing committees, general counsel, labor-management relations, member services, grievances: (202) 647-8160 • FAX: (202)647-0265 • Foreign Service Club (202) 338-5730.

2 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 Voi.. 70, NO. 2 FEBRUARY 1993 JOURNAL

Editorial Board Chairman BRANDON GROVE

STEVEN AOKI JANET BOGUE C. STUART CALL1SON JOE B. JOHNSON ROBERT MAUSHAMMER DONALD R. NORLAND PHYLLIS OAKLEY ERIC RUBIN ROBERT TOTH Road to Ruin 26 The Hillary Syndrome 34 HANS N. TUCH FEATURES “The Independent Voice of the Foreign Service” Minefield Nicaragua 16 How two ambassadorial nominees fell victim to Central American policy Editor ANNE STEVENSON-YANC BY GEORGE GEDDA Associate Editor NANCY A. JOHNSON Focus: SOMALIA Advertising Manager TINA M. DREYFUS Communications Assistant The UN’s New Role 21 JONATHAN ULLMAN BY STANLEY MEISLER Design MARKETING & MEDIA SOLUTIONS Road to Ruin 26

FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL (ISSN 0015-7279), 2101 E BY S.J. HAMRICK Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990, is published monthly by the American Foreign Serv ice The Mogadishu Potato Caper 29 Association, a private, non-profit organization. Material appearing herein represents the opinions BY GILBERT D. KULICK of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of AFSA or the JOURNAL. Writer queries are Robert Oakley: Seeking a Solution 33 invited. JOURNAL subscription: AFSA Memlx;rs -$9.50 BY JONATHAN STEVENSON included in annual dues; others - $40. Overseas subscription (except ) - $50 peryear. Airmail not available. Foreign Service Quiz 30 Second-class postage paid at Washington, D.C. and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send Identify the newsmakers of 1992 address changes to FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL, 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990. The Hillary Syndrome 34 Microfilm copies: University Microfilm Library Services, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 (October The many identities of a senior official’s spouse 1967 to present). Indexed by Public Affairs BY ALENE H. GELBARD Information Service (PAIS). Advertising inquiries invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorsement of the services or History: A Century at Gibraltar 40 gtxxls offered. FAX: 202/338-6820 or 202/338- BY HENRY MATTOX 8244 • TELEPHONE: 202/338-4045 or 338-4054. Books 46 Including Tom Greene on Bruce Laingen’s journal of captivity.

THE COVER: DEPARTMENTS 54 Photo of Pakistani AFSA Views 2 Marketplace Letters 7 Real Estate 55 peacekeeping troops on their Clippings 12 Classifieds 58 way to Somalia Tax Guide/AFSA News/ 50 Years Ago/Quiz Key 60 by AP/Wide World Photos Election Call Pull-out section

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FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 7 LETTERS

not fully gender-sensitive, are making serious attempts to address this issue. Congress amended the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act in 1973 to require for¬ mally that U.S. assistance programs “be administered ... to integrate women into the national economies of foreign countries, thus improving their status and assisting the total development ef¬ fort." With this Percy Amendment the ENJOY AN EXTENDED STAY AT United States became one of the first donor countries to implement a policy THE EXECUTIV E CLUB SUITES to give particular attention to women's role in development. Virtually all donor countries soon followed suit, although they did not go about it as vigorously. This was a hold acknowledgement that one of the crucial resources for devel¬ opment was often overlooked: women. The USAID Office of Women in Development (WID) was created in 1974. It now has 15 professional staff members, able to respond to requests for assistance in areas as diverse as natural-resource management, micro- enterprise assistance, local governance, refugee issues, and AIDS. All bureaus and many missions now have WID working groups to identify and act on gender issues; missions have Tlit* Executive Club Suite is your With Convenient locations in the designated WID officers to address gen¬ convenient home away from home heart of Rosslvn, Arlington and der concerns in programs and projects; without that familiar stuffy hotel feel¬ Alexandria, Virginia, we are within sex-disaggregated data are being incor¬ ing. The Executive Club Suites pro¬ minutes of the most important gov¬ vide personalized service in spacious ernment and business centers in the porated into monitoring and evaluation apartment style suites Washington metropoli¬ systems; training in gender issues con¬ with more amenities tan area. There is easy tinues to accelerate; and USAID main¬ than most hotels. Each access to Georgetown, tains a leading role in conducting re¬ suite has a fully equip¬ Foggy Bottom, State search on the impact of gender on ped modern kitchen, Department, Capitol dining area, spacious Hill, National Airport, development strategies. living room and mas¬ the Pentagon, Crystal In 1990, the WID office created a ter bedroom with a City, the Beltway anil new mechanism to provide support for queen size bed. The all superhighways. its international work. The GENESYS suites are 600-700 W hether vou arc (Gender in Economic and Social Sys¬ square feet of personal living space. an executive on short-term business, Other amenities include health- or a diplomat on temporary transfer, tems) project, through a contract with club, sauna, EREE parking and com¬ or finding a relocation headquarters, The Futures Group, Management Sys¬ plimentary shuttle to FSI, Pentagon The Executive Club Suites provides tems International, and Development and Metro. the very comforts of home. Alternatives, provides additional tech¬ nical assistance, training, and research THE EXECUTIVE CLUB SUITES on gender issues, as well as supporting THE REAL SUITE HOTEL missions and bureaus in their efforts to IN ALEXANDRI A IN ROSSLVN IN ARLINGTON facilitate women’s full participation in 610 Bashford Lane 1730 Arlington Boulevard 108 South Courthouse Road (off George Washington Parkway) (Off Route 50) (Off Washington Boulevard) development initiatives. Old Town Alexandria. Virginia 22204 Rosslvn. Virginia 22209 Arlington,V irginia 22204 USAID’s goal, of course, is to work its (703)739-2582 (703)525-2582 (703)522-2582 way out of a WID job when women are RESERVATIONS: 800-535-2582 effectively involved in all phases of FAX (703) 548-0266 development. But it can be a long way

8 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 L E T T E R S from realization of a problem to effect¬ tween the agency and its Washington DON'T TOUCH THE SPOUSAL ing behavioral changes. No, die job isn’t handlers. . . . Today’s USAID mission ALLOWANCE done. But progress has been made through- concentrates on joint planning, financ¬ To THE EDITOR: out the agency in realizing WID goals. ing and quality control of implementa¬ I resent Mr. Miller’s passing judgment Congress acknowledged the great tion, all-important donor coordination, on who should or should not get a strides taken to date by doubling the and pressing the American point of Separate Maintenance Allowance (SMA) level of funding forFY 93 front $5 to $10 view in key policy areas. USAID’s de¬ among returning spouses (Journal, “Let¬ million earmarked for strategies to inte¬ centralized delegations of authority per¬ ters,” November 1992). The Foreign grate women into development. mit mission directors to make key pro¬ Service’s record in keeping marriages More women than ever before are grammatic choices in the field and en¬ together is poor, and I believe that the participating in and benefiting from U.S. able decisions to be taken by knowl¬ SMA is the least the department can do development assistance. At the same edgeable officers in direct touch with for those separated families. time, U.S. development assistance is the problems. As an accompany¬ benefiting more than ever from the ing spouse myself, I expertise, advice, and participation of agree that our hard¬ indigenous women. Although much Foreign Service life commonly assaults the ship goes unrecog¬ remains to be done, USAID needs to be self-esteem of accompanying spouses. nized. . . we should commended for making a concerted protect whatever ben¬ effort to address the gender challenge. Sometimes spouses need to separate to make efits we are entitled Gretchen Bloom marriages work. The returning spouse often Gender/WID Adviser to. Some of us return Asia/PRE Bureaus needs a personal boost in his/her sense of home to maintain our skills so that we may self-esteem and may require something return to the main¬ A WARPED PICTURE OF extra, such as a “rewarding career back stream of our profes¬ USAID sional lives when we home. ” return to the United To THE EDITOR: States. The team of transition doctors sum¬ Foreign Service life commonly as¬ moned to treat the supposedly ailing We recommend certain perfomiance- saults the self-esteem of accompanying USAID needs a second opinion—from enhancing prescriptions. First, Congress spouses. Sometimes spouses need to the patient. We, the Foreign Service must enact new legislation proclaiming separate to make marriages work. The officers of USAID/Tanzania, are not a clear vision and setting realistic objec¬ returning spouse often needs a personal sick. But we are tired—tired of years of tives and it must renounce its addiction boost in his/her sense of self-esteem White House indifference and embar¬ to micro-management. Second, Con¬ and may require something extra, such rassingly inept leadership appointments, gress and the executive must accept the as a “rewarding career back home. ” The scandalous media muckraking, exag¬ fact that the rewards of development SMA is just a small token, which recog¬ gerated IG claims, and counterproduc¬ cannot be gained on the cheap.... The nizes that, for whatever reason the tive congressional intrusion. Together, real issue is not cost, but cost/benefit. spouse returned home, he or she is not these hostile forces have provoked a Finally, the new administrator must be warped picture of what we know to be a respected, influential leader dedicated having a great time being away from a very different and exceedingly more to development principles, committed loved ones. inspiring reality. USAID continues to to restoring the agency’s vitality, and Ruth Dumont thrive robustly where it counts most—- with the ear of the president... and he Brazzaville, Congo in the field. We are highly trained, must be prepared to work with USAID’s keenly motivated, and effective. Our professionals. NO HEX ON BEX knowledge of development is greater We witness daily important progress than ever, our programs are innovative on the front line, where it must happen. To THE EDITOR: and pertinent. And we are getting re¬ While we agree that some maintenance I have been the chairperson on a sults. To prove our point we offer an may be justified, the fact is that the basic selection (promotion) board and am invitation to skeptics to visit and judge USAID machine just ain’t that broke. For currently an examiner in BEX. The firsthand. some, this will be a disappointing diag¬ experience gained on these assign¬ USAID has evolved survival mecha¬ nosis, indeed. ments enables me to address the issues nisms that enable missions to deliver Joel E. Schlesinger raised in Edward Feck’s article (No¬ increasingly impressive development ivith eight other Foreign Service vember 1992 Journal). perfonnance despite the growing hard¬ officers in USAID BEX is currently staffed by officers ships and deepening disconnects be¬ Tanzania who have chosen to be here, and

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 9 T forced assignments might not achieve they want will join up no matter how est it seeks will go elsewhere. Even the effect desired by Peck. they are treated. those of us brought up to believe that I assume Peck is addressing all I was lucky that I managed to sched¬ public service was the consummate facets of BEX, which include selection ule my Assessment Center exam a career will only put up with so much. of new communicators, secretaries, mere two months after the written I passed the examination, my pro¬ and couriers, among others ... or exam, but some appointments were cessing was “fast-tracked,” and I was would specialist examinations not be scheduled for a full 12 months later. offered a position “only” a year after I included in [the new] BEX's responsi¬ Someone willing to wait that long for had applied. In the meantime, I have bilities? a job interview must be either deter¬ gotten on with my life and have turned An assignment to BEX is a unique mined or desperate. Next, I had to get them down. I wonder if the oral exam experience. Examiners don’t super¬ to the Assessment Center at my own tests the skills it claims to assess or the vise, they don’t report, nor do they expense and pay for my own food and ability to tolerate a slow, unwelcoming have budgets to manage or treaties to lodging. (Someone at BEX might note bureaucracy. negotiate. However, examiners Christopher Stephens are charged with the selection of Washington, D.C. those who will one day have I was never given any indication that there these responsibilities, and their IORE THAN STATE sense of duty and drive is very was a bright side to being an FSO. After high. being snarled at by the secretaries in the To THF. EDITOR: I disagree with Peck’s asser¬ I recently spent six months tion that examiners have not been office and getting only a gloom and doom at the Board of Examiners successful—a generalization such (BEX) and found myself nod- portrait ofJ an FSO’sJ life, I was beginning to ... ., , as this implies that only ambassa¬ ^ o o ding in agreement with much dors are successful members of wonder why anyone would want to join the of what David and Terry Jones the Foreign Service. Foreign Service. wrote in the November Jour¬ I certainly don’t disagree about nal. I enjoyed their description the importance of BEX, but why of the new oral exam and their not continue to improve the system we that, while Assessment Centers are observations about candidates’ reac¬ now have? A BEX assignment should located around the nation, there is tions to different parts of the day-long be recognized for what it is—a neces¬ none in New York, the nation’s largest exercise. sary cog in the larger wheel of the city. Perhaps not enough New Yorkers I was disappointed, however, that department. apply?) By comparison, when I ap¬ they gave the impression that the For¬ B. Jerry Lujan plied for a summer position at the CIA eign Service exam is an exclusively Foreign Service Examiner when I was in grad school, they of¬ State Department test. Not only State fered to fly me down, arranged for and but also the U.S. Information Agency THE OTHER SIDE OF THE paid for a hotel room, paid for taxis and the Foreign Commercial Service of TABLE and gave me a stipend for meals. I was the Department of Commerce use BEX’s not offered so much as a cup of coffee written and oral exams to choose new To THE EDITOR: during my 12-hour Foreign Service Foreign Service generalists. Candidates David and Teresa Jones’ “Clearing assessment. who pass both the written and then the the Final Hurdle” (November Journal) During my interview, I was asked if oral “assessment” could receive job was an excellent description of the I was willing to serve anywhere, no offers from any of these agencies. oral exam. As someone who took the matter how unpleasant, and do any When I was at BEX, many of the exam recently, and passed, I would job, no matter how menial. While I exam candidates were themselves like to point out some faults that re¬ accepted, I was never given any indi¬ unaware that they were taking an main which are noticeable only from cation that there was a bright side to exam for more than just State. Success¬ the other side of the table. being an FSO. After being snarled at by ful candidates found out during their While the examiners stress that this the secretaries in the office and getting personal interview at the end of the is not a job interview in the conven¬ only a gloom and doom portrait of an day that they had passed an exam used tional sense, it still is the best way for FSO’s life, I was beginning to wonder by all three agencies. That is, they the examiners to rate the candidate why anyone would want to join the found out if the examiners in the and for the candidate to get his first Foreign Service. If the Foreign Service personal interview told them. As a impression of the State Department. thinks it has such a great reputation USIA officer, I sometimes had to re¬ State must still be under the impres¬ that it can treat candidates shoddily mind my State colleagues that in addi¬ sion that, given the numbers who and dissuade candidates who are quali¬ tion to explaining the State apply to become FSOs, the candidates fied from joining, the best and bright¬ Department’s cones they should also

10 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 LETTERS

mention the USIA and Commerce op¬ tions. I found that some of my State col¬ leagues did not really know every¬ thing that USIA officers do (I also discovered that I did not know a lot about what State consular and admin¬ istrative officers do). I wrote a fact sheet about the work of USIA FSOs; a version of it is still available for candi¬ dates at the Assessment Center. Still, some new Foreign Service generalists have said they had not heard of USIA until they got a job offer after passing the written and oral exams. I agree with the Joneses that the new oral assessment is an improve¬ ment over the old. When I took the exam, the written test lasted a full day and the oral was only two or three hours. Now the written has been shortened and, I believe, made easier. The oral has been lengthened and, I believe, made more difficult. FIow- ever, the results of today’s oral are much less subjective than they were under the old system. It was only by chance that I did a tour at BEX. I wanted something in¬ teresting to do before my next job opened up and BEX needed officers for its busy period. But BEX turned out to be more than just interesting. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good Washington assignment. Al¬ though I sometimes had the impres¬ sion that all our decisions would be EASYCOME...EASYGO questioned by shrinks and lawyers. I FROM It’s been a day packed with important issues was fascinated by the politics of orga¬ and business as usual. You deserve a few nizing and giving the exam. The pro¬ $ * hours of quiet and comfort to relax from this cess is still far from perfect, but a lot of 69 busy schedule. Per Room, Step into our oasis where the fringe bene¬ people are working to improve the Pa' Night. fits add up. Our luxury hotel offers beautifully way we choose new members of the appointed guest rooms; the finest in dining in service. our A Cut Above Restaurant' access to a large indoor pool and fitness center; and excellent shopping at die Ballston In the same issue as the Joneses’ Commons Mall. Plus the most valuable benefit of all is being article Edward Peck recommends (“Se¬ located only 4 miles from Washington, D.C. atop the Ballston lection in and Promotion up”) Metro Center. It’s to your benefit to call for more information at changes to make BEX a more de¬ (703)528-6000 or) 800 228-9898 today! sirable assignment. I hope that some¬ * Per Room, Per Night. Subject to availability. Not valid with groups one listens to him. Service at BEX is an or other discount programs. experience more FSOs—from all the foreign affairs agencies which use the exam to choose new person¬ nel—should have. ■ Lauren Hale Washington

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL *11 for what happens in Somalia after U.S. so we’ll know every day what’s going troops leave. on in this Congress,” Strauss recalled Los ANGELES TIMES, DECEMBER 16, 1992 telling her. BY ROBIN WRIGHT One day, Strauss met with this mem¬ Widely known around Washington US. EMBASSY RETAKEN ber of the Russian Congress, probing as the diplomat’s diplomat, the man NEWSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1992 him for the latest inside information. named chief U.S. envoy to Somalia has U.S. Marines took over the deserted What he heard in response confirmed spent the past decade salvaging as¬ American Embassy [in Mogadishu] yes¬ just how effectively he had burrowed sorted foreign policy debacles or cri¬ terday, hoisting the Stars and Stripes into the Russian bureaucracy. “You’re ses. These experiences . . . make him up a tottering flagpole to seal their asking me?” the Russian repeated three uniquely capable of taking on the presence in the capital. times in mock amazement. “You know thorny problems in the nation racked In a salute to diplomatic niceties, everything you know, plus, with that by clan wars and famine. U.S. officials also raised the flag over girl, you know everything I know. “Bob is really a driven person. He’s buildings on both sides of the line Why ask me?” a pit bull when it comes to getting the dividing warring sides in Mogadishu. job done. As tough as the Somali Old Glory went up over [current and T HATE THIS JOB.” situation is, he is one of the few former] U.S. Envoy Robert Oakley’s people who have a chance of making liaison office in the south and over the THE NEW YORK TIMES, DECEMBER 20, 1992 it work,” declared Chester A. Crocker, official residence of former U.S. am¬ BY ELAINE SCIOLINO former assistant secretary of state for bassadors in the north. To be secretaiy of state in the un¬ African affairs. “He also wasn’t born Later, the dented iron gates of the wieldy new world of late 1992 means yesterday. He knows that in that part once-lavish embassy compound swung spending a lot of time putting out of the world, you count your fingers open to let in a convoy of armored raging diplomatic fires rather than craft- both before and after each hand¬ personnel carriers and tanks carrying “Trip of Secretary of State Lawrence S. shake, but you do it with great humil¬ 150 marines. The charge into the com¬ ity and humanity.” Eagleburger to Stockholm, Geneva, and pound was led by reporters, camera¬ Brussels, December 12-18,1992.” Oakley returns to Somalia having men, and photographers, who had completed the string of tough emer¬ accompanied the Marines. gency assignments that followed his last job there as U.S. ambassador between 1982-84. . . . Oakley helped BURROWING INTO THE establish the State Department’s RUSSIAN BUREAUCRACY Counterterrorism Office in 1984. . . . The Reagan White House made Oakley , DECEMBER 14,1992 staff director of Middle East and South BY JACK ANDERSON AND MICHAEL BINSTEIN Asian Affairs on the National Security [U.S. Ambassador Robert S.[ Strauss Council... . He is widely credited with made a point of having good behind- orchestrating the American naval de¬ the-scenes sources. For example, ployment in the Persian Gulf to pro¬ Strauss assigned one of the U.S. tect Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Embassy’s most highly regarded politi¬ ing Tallyrand-like strategies for the Iran-Iraq War. [In 1988] Oakley was cal officers the job of keeping tabs on future. In these final days of the Bush dispatched to Islamabad as American one member of the Russian Congress. foreign policy it is not a comfortable envoy. . . . Strauss described the embassy role. “He knows all the ropes and all the official as an attractive woman who “In the non-Cold War world you get major players,” said a White House “had a fine mind and knew how to use a lot of surprises,” said Eagleburger. official. “He’s also a natural in a crisis.” every asset she had, intellectual and “It’s constant.” He immediately helped bring together physical.” In the intellectual competition over the country’s two major warlords in “I want you to see that guy every what to call the new chaos, crucial peace talks. U.S. officials said morning... [and] I want you to see him Eagleburger’s phrase is as good as any: they expect his actions to pave the way eveiy afternoon before he goes home “Pasted-together diplomacy.” And how

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WRITE TO: DIPLOMATIC SALES NAME FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADDRESS P.O. Box 600 CITY STATE 28801 Wixom Rd. COUNTRY ZIP Wixom, MI 48393-0600 Tel: (800) 338-5759 (U.S., excluding Michigan) PHONE NO. 1 1 (313) 344-6578 (Michigan and worldwide) FAX/TELEX NO. 1 1 Fax:(313)344-6397 tZD U.S. DELIVERY tdl OVERSEAS DELIVERY cou ntry does he like his job? “I hate this job. I have to fight to prove he’s tough and committed to traditional liberal values, hate this job,” he said, with only a hint worthy. yet power oriented and a careful bu¬ that he might not fully mean it. Christopher was one of my bosses reaucrat. Sometimes hawkish, some¬ What is Eagleburger’s advice for in Carter’s State Department. He is no times dovish, he is as tough and ag¬ whoever succeeds him? First: “Do your less stiff and formal privately than gressive as his smile is cherubic. best to recognize that you’ll always be publicly. His jacket is always buttoned. limited in providing yourself time to He listens impassively . . . and says CHANGING STATE think about the big issues.” Second: little. Ever the world-class lawyer, he is “Recognize and use the fact that, while exceedingly careful, tidy, disciplined, WASHINGTON POST, DECEMBER 30, 1992 a large part of the world thinks it is precise—no mistakes. “Chris,” as he is BY JOHN GOSHKO now to be heard more forcefully, there called, is a brilliant political tactician Once the personnel selections are is only one power that thinks glo¬ and negotiator. He helped to gain made, Clinton and Christopher will bally—and therefore it is absolutely Senate approval of the Panama Canal have to decide what to do about some essential that you do your best to treaties and negotiated the release of preliminary proposals for changing develop a world strategy and fit the the American hostages from Iran. [He] the structure of the U.S. foreign policy pieces into it and not the reverse.” machinery to enable it to deal more And third (half-kidding): “Not to efficiently with the post-Cold War take the job.” One idea, originated by CLINTON’S SECURITY TRIO Madeleine Albright, the ambas¬ sador-designate to the UN . . .

THE NEW YORK TIMES, DECEMBER 20, would move the coordinator [of 1992 aid programs to and East¬ BY LESLIE H. GELB ern Europe] to the White House. The expected appointees— If such a post is created, the Warren Christopher for secretary sources said it would go to of state, Les Aspin for defense [Thomas] Pickering. A compan¬ secretary, and Anthony Lake for ion proposal would be to reor¬ national security adviser—are ganize State’s Bureau of Euro¬ highly experienced problem solv¬ pean and Canadian Affairs to ers. Like almost all their predeces¬ permit greater concentration on sors when they took office, these Russia and Eastern Europe. The three are untested at the highest idea, as described by the levels. sources, would move oversight They like President Bush’s of relations with Canada to the new-world-order rhetoric about Bureau of Inter-American Af¬ standing for American values, fairs and divide responsibility paying more attention to interna¬ for Europe between two new tional economics, and using force bureaus: one for Western Eu¬ for humanitarian as well as strate¬ rope and one for Eastern Eu¬ gic reasons. But unlike Bush, they rope, Russia, and the former take these words seriously and Soviet republics. will tty energetically to turn rheto¬ Still another related idea ric into reality. None of the trio would be to create a fifth seeks the limelight and all will fit undersecretary post that would comfortably with Clinton’s plan be charged with furthering the to make policy in the White development of democracy on House. l International Copyright by CARTOONEWS Inc.. N.Y.C., USA a global basis at a minimum Contraiy to comment the trio WARREN CHRISTOPHER, Clinton's Secretary of State [the new position] would incor¬ bring to their posts as much high- porate the present Bureau of level government experience as most is not a policy-maker and has no Human Rights . . . and responsibility of their predecessors. ... If they have known policy agenda. ... He thinks for Third World aid programs, if the a weakness as a group, it is their lack case by case. But he can take any new administration decides to adopt of pre-cooked clout. None brings com¬ policy paper and find its flaws and recommendations that the Agency for manding stature to his job or possesses make it viable. International Development be merged a movie-star personality. Each will Tony [Lake] is puckish and deeply into the State Department. ■

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his is an answer to a lot of prayers,” nominations exulted Oliver L. North. T It was February 26, 1990 and hostage to North, the former National Secu¬ rity Council aide, was giddy over o I d the defeat of the Sandinista Front in Nicaragua’s elections the previ¬ ous day. Eight weeks intol990, the resentments most divisive foreign policy issue of the 1980s seemed to have disappeared in a single stroke. Nicaragua has in¬ deed loomed much smaller on the U.S. po¬ Minefield litical horizon since the Sandinistas were turned out of office, but the The two, both long-time Central America hands, were stymied by an intensity of emotion sur¬ improbable Senate coalition of (R-NC), a pro-Contra stalwart rounding Central American during the Reagan era, and Christo¬ policy has not diminished. pher Dodd (D-CT), the dovish chair¬ man of the Senate Foreign Relations Two ambassadorial nomi¬ subcommittee on Western Hemisphere affairs. The senators are convinced nees have fallen victim to that Kozak and Sullivan conspired that bitterness: Joseph with Contra surrogates in 1989-90 to buy the nomination and election of Sullivan, nominated to be President Violeta Chamorro. Helms and Dodd contend that the adminis¬ ambassador to Nicaragua, tration carried out its plan under the and Michael Kozak, nomi¬ cover of the so-called Nicaraguan Ex¬ ile Resettlement Program—known in¬ nated to El Salvador. formally as NERP. The Bush Adminis-

16 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 tration angrily denies the allegations. Chamorro was one of the candidates Contra directorate to carry out that Administration officials say they are seeking the nomination of the United task. It would have found other means. ” appalled that the NERP program was Nicaraguan Opposition (UNO) to op¬ He said the administration assiduously construed as a vote-buying scheme, pose President Daniel Ortega in the pursued a hands-off policy toward the insisting there was nothing sinister 1990 elections. Both Helms and Bosco election process. “The message con¬ about it. The program’s only purpose, Matamoros, a former Contra spokes¬ stantly went out the field: Don’t get they say, was to dismantle the Miami- man who still lives in Washington, involved in this.” He and others said based Contra political office, which backed a conservative businessman, the only advice the administration of¬ had been built up during the U.S.- Enrique Bolanos, for the UNO nomi¬ fered to the Nicaraguan opposition backed war against the Sandinistas. nation. during this period was to maintain With the war winding down in the Matamoros is one of the few people unity; a divided opposition would only spring and summer of 1989, the admin¬ involved in the 1989-90 events who guarantee a Sandinista victory. istration was eager to get the Miami are willing to speak on the record. The administration’s claims are dis¬ Contras back into Nicaragua to join the “Chamorro would not have been nomi¬ missed out of hand by congressional political process then underway. About nated without the persuasion of U.S. staffers who view NERP as an elabo¬ $600,000 reportedly was used to relo¬ dollars,” Matamoros says. U.S. offi¬ rate hoax. “The purpose of the pro¬ cate the Contras and their families. cials, however, treat with skepticism gram was not relocation. It was a pure and simple manner to get Chamorro elected,” said one. Senate Intelligence Commit¬ tee Chairman David Boren (D-OK), complained privately that the lack of accounting procedures made it impos¬ sible to determine how the NERP money was spent. There was also a bitter dispute about the legality of the program and whether the Senate Intelligence Commit¬ BY GEORGE GE tee had been properly in¬ formed. The Senate critics say the administration was guilty on both counts. The adminis¬ The dust-up over the nominations almost anything Matamoros says. tration says there were no impropri¬ has largely been fought out of public The officials insist that, to the extent eties. The officials say the Agency for view, because NERP was a covert that there was American involvement International Development was ap¬ program. But a Newsweek article about in the electoral process, it consisted of proached about handling the NERP, the NERP program appeared in Octo¬ a $9 million overt program for such but USAID thought it was improper ber 1991, the same month that Kozak purposes as training poll watchers, and possibly illegal for it to become was nominated. The magazine quoted educating voters, and paying opposi¬ involved in ferrying Contras back to an administration source as saying that tion campaign workers. To win their homeland. The CIA, therefore, NERP went well beyond resettlement Sandinista acquiescence for the pro¬ was picked for the assignment. of Contras. The source alleged that gram, the administration paid a $2 one Contra leader, Alfredo Cesar, re¬ million “foreign contributions tax” to Exonerated, sort of ceived “roughly $100,000” to “distrib¬ the Sandinista-dominated electoral Believing the administration had ute to his people.” Cesar has denied council. pulled a dirty trick, Helms and Dodd that any money went to the Chamorro Rejecting congressional claims of struck back, albeit belatedly, by block¬ campaign. meddling, an administration official ing the nominations of Sullivan and said, “If the United States wanted to Kozak. The two senators believe Aid or ‘persuasion’? buy Mrs. Chamorro’s nomination, it Sullivan helped the CIA run the pro¬ In the late summer of 1989, certainly would not have used the gram, first as director of the Central

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 17 American Affairs office and later as Dodd recommending that Sullivan and deputy assistant secretary responsible Kozak be given a chance to defend for that region. During that time, Kozak themselves before the Foreign Rela¬ was the principal deputy of Assistant tions Committee. Alternatively, Baker Interim Accommodations for Secretary of State Bernard Aronson. suggested that the inspector general Kozak’s accusers say his role was rela¬ consider any questions any senator The Corporate and Government tively minor compared with Sullivan’s. may have about either nominee. If any Markets Kozak had been nominated in Oc¬ improprieties were uncovered. Baker tober 1991 and Sullivan in March of last wrote, the administration would “re¬ year. They thought they were on their consider” the nominations. cj^fiaitmtnlh Neither Helms nor “P Dodd bought Baker’s - “I .Sirujft '' Kimify czHomzi suggestions. Both be¬ lieved that, if the ad¬ ministration was so ea¬ TOR THE EXECUTIVE ON THE MOVE" ger to have the posts in Managua and San Sal¬ LOCATIONS I he two vador filled, Bush should recommend senators new nominees. The ad¬ Crystal City believe ministration was loathe Ballston Sullivan to take that step be¬ Rosslyn cause it might have been helped the Springfield interpreted as an ex¬ CIA run pression of guilt. Be¬ Alexandria the program, first as director sides, they believe that Tyson’s Corner would only encourage Reston of the Central American Senate Foreign Rela¬ Falls Church Affairs office and later as tions Committee mem¬ deputy assistant secretary bers to be even more McLean obstructionist than they Washington, D.C. responsible for that region. are in dealing with am¬ bassadorial nomina¬ tions. • Furnished and Helms has a habit of unfurnished way toward confirmation last June putting holds on ambassadorial nomi¬ when the State Department Inspector • Furnished units fully nees. For nominees assigned posts in General, Sherman Funk, issued a re¬ Latin America, Helms relies heavily on equipped and port exonerating them of wrongdoing. the advice of Deborah De Moss, and, accessorized But Dodd believed the IG investiga¬ since the committee operates virtually • Pets and children tion was incomplete and, in a letter to on the basis of unanimous consent, De Funk, suggested that the IG’s office Moss’ advice to Helms on nominees welcome in many locations may be “a captive of the agency it is can prove decisive. Helms also ob¬ • Many “walk to metro” designed to oversee.” Outraged, Funk jected to Bush’s 1990 nomination of locations replied to Dodd that the allegation was career diplomat Melissa Wells as his • Accommodations to fit “untrue, unfair, and unwarranted.” first ambassador to Managua. Bush Sullivan has kept silent about his eventually settled on Harry Shlaudeman specific requirements travails except to say that his detractors for the assignment, persuading the • Variable length leases have never given him a chance to veteran diplomat to come out of retire¬ available. respond to their allegations. Says Kozak: ment, but the post has been vacant “To be accused of something like this since Shlaudeman left in February 1992. Fax: (703) 642-3619 is frustrating. The worst thing is to San Salvador also has been without a have your honor attacked.” U.S. ambassador since that time. 5105-K Backlick Rd. Then-Secretary of State James A. Annandale, Virginia 22003 Baker III offered a compromise solu¬ Latin policy warrior (703) 642-5491 tion. He sent a “Dear Chris” letter to The NERP program was not the

18 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 only issue related to Nicaragua in which if the Senate were willing to confirm Helms was at odds with the Bush Kozak but Helms rejected the pro¬ Administration. In fact, he has had a posal. running feud with Aronson on U.S. The administration decided in late policy. When Helms felt that Aronson September to withdraw Sullivan’s name had tried to bully two Contra allies of from consideration. Kozak’s nomina¬ the senator during telephone conver¬ tion was still alive at the time but it died sations in October, Helms wrote to about 10 days later when the Senate Acting Secretary of State Lawrence adjourned without acting on it. Eagleburger that Aronson should be Sullivan’s otherwise dreary year was fired if the allegations proved true. brightened by his receipt of the presi¬ Aronson insists Helms has been acting dential Distinguished Service Award, on bad information. worth $20,000. He also has been cho¬ Helms also helped derail $104 mil¬ sen to head the U.S. Interests Section in lion in U.S. aid to the Nicaraguan —an important post but one that government. He complained that tax¬ does not require Senate confirmation. payers' money should not be used to De Moss says that appointment is inappropriate, particularly since the subsidize a government which, he Come to American claims, has refused to stand up to the Office of the Inspector General is con¬ Service Center for diplomatic Sandinistas, to return properties con¬ tinuing its inquiry into the NERP pro¬ fiscated by the Sandinistas from Ameri¬ gram. immunity from high prices. If can citizens, or to investigate assassi¬ The Bush Administration believed you are on an overseas nations of former Contras. Helms was the United States might be able to assignment, and carry a bitterly disappointed diplomatic or official passport, when the adminis¬ you can save on the purchase tration, defying his of a new Mercedez Benz with wishes, decided to U.S. equipment, shipped reinstate $54 million directly to the United States or of the suspended for pick up in Stuttgart*. $104 million in early Contact Erik Granholm, December. For its part, the our Diplomatic and Tourist V administration Says Kozak: Sales Manager. agrees that many of “To be Helms’s complaints \ about the Chamorro accused of government are something valid. But officials L UN like this is are extremely wary t of taking any action frustrating. The worst thing is that might destabi¬ to have your honor attacked.” lize her government, fearing that could create a situation rican from which only the Sandinistas would benefit. shape events in Nicaragua—and El Service Center Salvador—much more effectively if an 585 North Glebe Road Small solace American ambassador were on the Arlington, Virginia 22203 Sullivan and Kozak were among scene. When Clinton gets around to 703/525 2100 more than 20 ambassadors who failed nominating ambassadors for those two FAX: 703/525-1430 *Car musi be imported into l fS. within to make it past the Senate before posts, he would be well advised for 6 mtmihs after taking delivery in Europe adjournment in October 1992. Among starters to make sure they had nothing that group, however, only Sullivan and to do with the NERP program. ■ Meroxies Beru Rcgiacrd 1 rademarks of Daimler Hen/ AG, Kozak are alleged to have engaged in Stuttgart, Federal RcpubU. of wrongdoing. One official said the ad¬ George Gedda covers the State De¬ ministration offered to sacrifice Sullivan partment for the .

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ithin days of the W Security Council resolution autho rizing the Ameri can-led military intervention in Somalia, Secretary-Gen¬ eral Boutros Boutros-Ghali and the Bush Administration were squabbling in pub¬ lic over the intent of the resolution. The secretary-general insisted that the Fourteen Pakistani soldiers, troops had to disarm the Somalis while members of the UN troops, practice an unidentified U.S. official accused drills before their dispatch to Mogadishu, WIDE WORLD PHOTO him of trying to move the goalposts in the middle of the game. >- FliLRIARY 1995 • dORFJGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 21 For many American officials, the dispute only reinforced troops stand between the Turks and Greeks, and the Golan their view of Boutros-Ghali as a stubborn, prickly, unpre¬ Heights, where they stand between the Israelis and the dictable UN leader. For many UN diplomats and bureau¬ Syrians, are the models. These kinds of operations could crats, the noises in Washington sounded like the last gasps take place only when the United States and the Soviet of the lame-duck, anti-UN Reaganites still left in the State Union agreed to let them work. No peacekeepers were Department at the end of 1992. ever dispatched to Vietnam. But in fact, the dispute was less about personality than The UN found that these operations worked best when policy and probably reflected the uncertainties stemming the peacekeepers, armed only for self-defense, served as from the passage of what may prove the most significant impartial referees between the belligerents. The Blue UN resolution in post-Cold War history. Except in the Helmets actually did use force to end the Katanga special case of Iraq after the Persian Gulf war, the United secession in the Congo in the early 1960s, mounting Nations has never before intervened in the internal affairs assaults on Elizabethville that included aerial bombing. of a country without the consent of that country’s govern¬ But this departure provoked so much anger in Europe ment. That, of course, lends a historic mantle to the and in conservative circles in the United States that it was resolution. But even more important, the never tried again and is barely men¬ resolution lays down the groundwork The Somalia crisis has started to tioned in UN rhetoric. Ignoring Katanga, for a new kind of UN peacekeeping UN bureaucrats usually insist that their operation in the future. And, in ways push the UN, whether it likes it peacekeepers have never used offen¬ little understood so far by Americans, the or not, into a new and more sive force in their operations. resolution sets UN limits on a U.S. mili¬ Following the end of the Cold War tary intervention for the first time and forceful role. The opportunity the demands for peacekeepers have raises questions about the future of U.S. was seized ... when Secretary accelerated. By 1988, in its first 43 years, participation and cooperation in UN the UN had mounted 13 peacekeeping military operations. It may take months of State Lawrence Eagleburger operations. Since then, in less than five before the full significance of the resolu¬ delivered President Bush’s years, it has authorized another 15 peace¬ tion sinks in. keeping operations. By early 1993, there The United States, of course, would surprise offer to organize an will be 60,000 soldiers under direct UN not have intervened in Somalia if the American-commanded multina¬ command throughout the world (not operation there had not turned itself into including the UN-supervised but U.S.- a metaphor for UN ineffectiveness and tional force of mainly American commanded military expedition in So¬ inefficiency. The Security Council had troops to sort out Somalia. malia). ignored the problem until embarrassed in mid-1992 by some well-publicized cajoling from Boutros- New protectorates? Ghali. When the Council finally did dispatch UN peace¬ For the most part, the UN has found itself with a new keepers, it did so under hoary rules that prevented the role in an era when the good relations between the United deployment of the troops anywhere without the consent States and the former have allowed many of the local warlords. The old rules of engagement insurrections and conflagrations to simmer down. Instead prevailed: the soldiers could fire their weapons only in self- of patrolling ceasefire lines, UN peacekeepers are now defense. To make matters worse, Boutros-Ghali dumped more likely to find themselves supervising the steps his able representative on the scene, Algerian diplomat toward normality and elections in a ravaged country after Mohammed Sahnoun, after the latter appeared on “60 the signing of a peace treaty by the former belligerents in Minutes" to berate the slow UN response to the crisis. Since a civil war. Cambodia, El Salvador, Angola, and Mozambique Sahnoun, in a remarkable feat of diplomacy, had won the are the obvious examples. In Cambodia, in fact, the UN is confidence of most warlords, the situation deteriorated serving as a quasi-colonial power. As Prince Norodom after his departure. Sihanouk complained recently as he addressed several American visitors in a northern Cambodian village, "Be¬ The color of neutrality fore, we were a protectorate of France, but we had only The non-confrontational style of the UN peacekeepers one master. Now, we are again a protectorate. The was appropriate to a Cold War environment, in which, difference is that we now have many patrons, many indeed, the UN peacekeepers, better known as Blue masters.” Helmets and Blue Berets, in 1988 won the Nobel Peace The new operations are highly charged politically. Prize. By and large, their work followed a pattern during This raises questions of whether UN bureaucrats, not the Cold War years. Peacekeepers patrolled ceasefire lines used to wielding political power, and UN peacekeepers, after a truce, pending the signing of peace treaties. These not used to showing force, are right for the job. In peace treaties, however, never seemed to get signed, Cambodia, for example, some observers believe that making the assignments interminable. Cyprus, where UN Yasushi Akashi of Japan', the veteran UN bureaucrat who

22 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 heads the peacekeeping operation there, gives in too The Somalia crisis, however, has started to push the UN, easily to the machinations of Sihanouk. Asked recently whether it likes it or not, into a new and more forceful role. whether he had the power to prevent Sihanouk’s plan to The opportunity was seized by Secretary-General Boutros- win election as president even before a constituent Ghali in late November when Secretary of State Lawrence assembly meets to write a constitution, Akashi replied, “I Eagleburger delivered President Bush’s surprise offer to don’t know. But assuming I have that power, I don’t organize an American-commanded multinational force of believe I would be politically able to prevent it.” In mainly American troops to sort out Somalia. Angola, the UN’s peacekeeping force of 900 soldiers and Reporting to the Security Council about the offer, the civilians was simply too weak and passive to prevent secretary-general said he would prefer “a countrywide Jonas Savimbi’s troops from taking up arms again after his enforcement operation to be carried out under United party lost the elections. Human rights groups insist that Nations command and control.” But if this were not the UN mission in El Salvador has tried so hard to avoid feasible, he went on, the Security Council should accept offending President Alfredo Cristiani that it has failed the American offer—provided the moni¬ adequately to publicize the incessant tored the American command and orga¬ violation of the rights of civilians there. nized a new UN force to replace the multinational force once it had imposed Proactive blues security on Somalia. Since both the In response to a request from the Security Council and the secretary-gen¬ Security Council meeting in a special eral knew that the UN did not have the summit session in January 1992, Boutros- resources or experience to organize a Ghali six months later produced a trea¬ peace-enforcement expedition quickly, tise called “An Agenda for Peace” that the American offer was accepted—with proposed some innovative departures the limitations suggested by Boutros- for UN military action. Under his propos¬ Ghali. Even countries like Zimbabwe, als, the secretary-general would have a India, and China, who regard them¬ rapid deployment force made up of units selves as watchdogs on the Security set aside by various armies for his use. Council against interference in the inter¬ This would not be a UN army; there nal affairs of nations, voted for the would be no UN Pentagon on the banks The deposed President of Somalia, resolution; they could not allow them¬ of New York's East River, but the secre¬ Mohammed Siad Barre selves to stand in the way of saving the tary-general could call up these units starving of Somalia. whenever he needed them. Boutros-Ghali also proposed what he called “peace-enforcement” troops—specially Blue meanies trained soldiers, more heavily armed than peacekeepers, The resolution authorizing the Somalia expedition was who could take on such military tasks as the restoration of far different from the resolutions authorizing the Persian a ceasefire. He also proposed, as a form of preventive Gulf War. In the latter case, the Security Council authorized diplomacy, the dispatch of peacekeeping troops to a the U.S.-led coalition to evict Iraq from Kuwait but troubled area in hopes of discouraging the outbreak of exercised no controls over the offensive. Some members war. of the Security Council felt humiliated by President Bush’s “An Agenda for Peace” evoked widespread praise from failure to consult them once he received the stamp of UN analysts and governments, as well as some refinements approval. In the Somalia case, however, the multinational and variations of the proposals from approving think command must consult with the secretary-general through¬ tanks. As Edward C. Luck, president of the United Nations out the operations. Moreover, according to the resolution, Association of the U.S.A., put it in a recent Foreign Policy the Security Council makes the final judgment on whether article, “The United Nations cannot be an effective instru¬ the American-commanded force has achieved its objective ment for collective security until it has the resources— and may thus depart. In the consultations over the resolu¬ financial, military, and political—to move quickly, deci¬ tion, American UN Ambassador Edward J. Perkins seemed sively and forcefully to deal with small conflicts before they far less concerned about these provisions than making develop into big ones.” But, although the Security Council certain that everyone knew that the United States was in did authorize the deployment of a battalion of peacekeep¬ command of the expedition. Voting on the resolution was ers in Macedonia to discourage the Yugoslav war from delayed by an hour while Perkins inserted a clause that escalating into a Balkans war, the UN has done almost made this obvious fact of life doubly clear. nothing about the other proposals. Many governments are Aside from asserting the UN’s right to consult in and still wary about putting too much power in the hands of the monitor the American command’s decisions, the resolu¬ secretary-general and of encouraging the dispatch of tion also strengthens the UN by providing for a UN peace enforcers to countries that do not want them. peacekeeping force to take over the operation from the

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 23 U.S.-commanded multinational force. It is inconceivable that United States changes its attitude toward UN military the UN would reveit to its old passive peacekeeping role operations. The United States has never felt comfortable after the departure of the Americans and become an object operating as part of a UN team. In both the Korean and of Somali ridicule again. As Assistant Secretary of State Persian Gulf wars, the United States ran things on its own, Herman Cohen told the House Foreign Affairs Committee in with the UN’s blessing. In the Somali expedition, the December, “It's not going to be a traditional UN peacekeep¬ United States is accepting some UN constraints—like ing force—lightly anned with very, veiy passive Riles of monitoring, reporting, consulting—but the expedition is engagement. We expect it to be heavily still mainly an American show. armed with very robust mles of engage¬ ment. And we are actively promoting this ...it is clear that the new Uneasy team player point of view within the Security Council. UN troops will be The United States does assign Ameri¬ And I’m relatively confident that this will be can officers to UN peacekeeping opera¬ achieved.” Boutros-Ghali seemed to accept instructed to use force tions as military observers. As of October, this in his first report to the Security Council against the Somalis if there were 51 in Cambodia, 30 in the on the American-led operation. In short, the Western Sahara, 20 in Middle East tmce realities of the Somalia expedition will make necessary. The UN, in areas, 13 on the Iraq-Kuwait border, and the new UN force more like the peace short, has embarked on a six on a preliminary tour of Mozambique, enforcers envisioned by Boutros-Ghali in but these are mainly unanned soldiers his “Agenda for Peace” than the old-style new path largely without who investigate and report on complaints peacekeepers. That may prove the most precedent. of ceasefire violations—an extreme form significant institutional achievement of the of diplomatic and judicious refereeing. resolution on Somalia. The United States has never assigned a Yet Boutros-Ghali knows the limitations of the UN and single unit of soldiers to serve with a peacekeeping force the likely limitations of his new peace enforcers. He wants under someone else’s command. Boutros-Ghali, however, the Americans to do as much pacification as possible has asked the United States to leave some logistical units before the UN takes over command; that is at the root of behind when the United Nations takes over the operation. his squabble with the Americans. There is little doubt that If it is to move rapidly and forcefully, the UN surely needs Boutros-Ghali’s interpretation of the resolution is correct. a good deal of American input to its peace-enforcing In his letter to the Security Council detailing the Bush offer, operations. The U.S. military has more resources and the secretaiy-general explained that the UN could take logistical support to do this than anyone else. But if the over from the American-commanded force “as soon as the United States insists each time on a massive deployment of irregular groups had been disarmed and the heavy weap¬ at least 28,000 troops all under U.S. command, it will take part ons of the organized factions brought under international in very few UN operations. For one thing, the United States control.” The resolution itself is somewhat vague; it does not have the flexibility or the political will to mount four describes the objective of the American command as “to or five such operations at the same time. Moreover, the UN establish as soon as possible a secure environment for does not need so large a number of troops for every humanitarian relief operations in Somalia.” But most operation. The United States should make military units in ambassadors agree with Boutros-Ghali that a secure envi¬ relatively small numbers available for UN peacekeeping and ronment implies the absence of at least heavy weapons. peace enforcing use under UN command. But that is The Americans want to do the minimum possible without anathema at the moment to Pentagon thinking. endangering their troops. But, whether the Somalis are The Somali expedition has started the UN on a new way partially disarmed or totally disarmed, it is clear that the of thinking about its military operations. That is an impres¬ new UN troops will be instructed to use force against them sive achievement. It would be just as impressive if the if necessaiy. The UN, in short, has embarked on a new path expedition started the Pentagon on a new way of thinking largely without precedent. as well. The United States is conducting a military operation In short, President Bush’s decision to send troops to for the first time under some kind of UN restraint. And it may Somalia galvanized the United Nations into speeding up its find that it makes sense to comply with the secretary- plans to play a new kind of role—peace enforcement. general’s request to leave some units behind when the Without the American expeditionary force, the Security United States turns the command over to the UN. In short, Council might still be arguing the merits of a large military the United States, just like the United Nations itself, could find operation in Somalia and the wisdom of allowing UN troops that the strange circumstances of the Somalia operation have to blast their way through unfriendly obstacles. The show of forced it to reconsider its peacekeeping and peace-enforc¬ U.S. military force has allowed the UN to set off on a new ing roles—even though it does not want to. ■ path. And it may find a number of Somalias in its future: Zaire, the southern Sudan, Haiti all seem ripe for chaos. Stanley Meisler is UN correspondent for the Los Angeles Yet the UN will not get veiy far on its new path unless the Times.

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OVER 30 YEARS OF INSURANCE EXPERIENCE THE MYTH OF SOMALIA AS COLD WAR VICTIM

BY S. J. HAMRICK

Guerrilla of the Western Somali Liberation Front I holding an automatic assault rifle, 1978.

26 • TORFICA SERVICE rOI'RNAI. • FEBRUARY 1993 or the second time in 15 years an impoverished little nation in the Horn F of Africa has captured international attention, and for the second time in 15 years journalists and TV cameramen have flocked to Mogadishu. Appalled by what they’ve found, they’ve asked the same questions they asked in 1977: how did it happen? Who’s responsible? In offering a quick, backward glance, few television commentators or analysts have traveled the long, bloody road back to the Ogaden War against Ethiopia in 1977, where today's ruin originated. The scene then was different: Somalia was victorious, jubilant, and fiercely united. Today's view portrays the Somali people as victims, the Somali nation as an abandoned Cold War pawn, and the present chaos as part of the shameful rubble left by the United States and the Soviet Union after the Cold War, when Somalia ceased to matter. Since both the USSR and the United States in turn supported Somali strong man Mohammed Siad Barre, or so the argument goes, both share responsibility for the present chaos. The United States has a moral obligation to help Somalia.

Poor little me dismembered the historic Somalia has played the role lands of the Somali peoples To characterize Somalia as a weak little nation victimized of international nomad and and then abandoned by the two superpowers is a seductive and made it deserving of but disingenuous misreading of Somalia’s recent history. Far international support in cor¬ pauper abroad, earning its recting the error. Most hu¬ from being the cruelly manipulated little country it’s now hand-to-mouth living for portrayed to be, over the past two decades Somalia has been miliating of all, history had very much the manipulator. The Soviet Union and the United ceded traditional Somali decades by tirelessly pastoral lands in the Ogaden States, beginning early in the Carter years, were among those it pleading its case as the tried to manipulate. That effort failed, and the consequences of to their ancient enemy, the failure live on in Somalia today. That dismal tale, as absurd Ethiopia. Their inferior Afri¬ victim of a cruel and pitiless can neighbors in , as it now seems, is buried in the diplomatic archives, but a few geography deserving of points are worth recalling. never their equals in battle, Living on the margins of existence in a harsh, barren land, the carted off another Somali international sympathy, limb; their brothers in Somali people have always been victims: victims of geogra¬ technicians, and hard cash. phy, nature, drought, clan rivalries, blood-feuds, and a proud Djibouti, a third. If intema- nomadic tradition of independence and violence. Their tional agreement in peace¬ culture of romantic egoism bred a duplicitousness that fully redrawing Somali boundaries wasn’t possible—and it leaders have used to advantage. Among the most seductive wasn’t: Haile Selassie, first the League of Nations foundling, people on earth as well as its slyest traders and contrivers, then the ward of the UN and the U.S., had been too shrewd— they have exalted their solitary but heroic predicament, military hardware would do. The strategy wouldn’t pay off whether in making war, poetry, love, or intrigue. In the until 1977. absence of oil, minerals, and a temperate climate, cunning has been Somalia’s major natural resource. Sugar daddy In the same tradition, Somalia has played the role of Somalia seemed doomed to insignificance until a 1969 international nomad and pauper abroad, earning its hand-to- coup brought Mohammed Siad Barre to power. Evidence mouth living for decades by tirelessly pleading its case as the suggests the coup was managed with Soviet complicity, but victim of a cruel and pitiless geography deserving of in any case Siad enlisted Somalia in the socialist cause, international sympathy, technicians, and hard cash. The bartering for Soviet military aid exclusive Soviet access to strategy worked. The list of Somali benefactors seemed as Somali airfields and ports on the Indian Ocean. The Soviet large as the UN General Assembly roll call, including Union reequipped the Somali Army, Navy, and Air Force and capitalists, socialists, and totalitarian nations alike, all im¬ soon established a formidable military advisory presence. In probable bedfellows in helping poor, prostrate Somalia. On Soviet military aid Somalia finally found a superpower a per capita basis, few nations in the world have been as sponsor equal to the enormity of the injustices it had generously subsidized. suffered and one greater and more energetic than the At the same time Somalian leaders have tirelessly pro¬ Americans in Ethiopia in pursuing its socialist client’s moted the nation as a victim of colonial injustice that wrongly interests—or at least so it seemed.

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 27 AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS

Ethiopian prisoners held by Somalis in the Ogaden War, January 1978.

The relationship flourished in the early Armed to the teeth Ocean littoral, still Moslems at prayer, 1970s. Siad got Sam-2 missiles for nomads in heart, but avid socialists in Mogadishu and the Soviets got more but restrained by the their public selves. How long would the facilities for their Indian Ocean fleet, superpowers’ de facto farce continue? including a missile rework facility at Not very long. It was Ethiopia that Berbera for servicing cruise missiles. It condominium in the Horn, smashed the glass. In 1974 a group of was obvious by then that Siad had struck the two enemies faced each disgruntled young Ethiopian army offic¬ the right bargain. American power was ers led by Mengistu Haile Mariam seized on the wane, its resolve eroding as the other across the Ogaden, power, deposed the emperor, and bru¬ forces of national liberation marched to each a perverse and tally shot 59 political prisoners from the victory in Vietnam, Angola, and old aristocratic Amhara establishment in Mozambique, and the Soviet Union despised mirror image a scene chillingly reminiscent of the showed increasing boldness in projecting of the other... Bolshevik slaughter of the Romanov power in the Third World in their support. family in the cellar at Ekaterinberg in If in Angola and Mozambique, Siad asked, 1918. A few months later Mengistu why not the Horn of Africa, where local adopted state socialism and soon na¬ insurgencies had long battled Amharia imperialism but with tionalized the banks and rural lands. Ethiopia was in turmoil. limited success? Mengistu's terror ruled in Addis Ababa while out along the Anned to the teeth but restrained by the superpowers' tie peripheries in , Tigre, and in the south, old insurgen¬ facto condominium in the Horn, the two enemies faced each cies took new heart and were beginning to dismember the other across the Ogaden, each a perverse and despised ancient Abyssinian kingdom. In crisis by then, in December mirror image of the other: His Imperial Majesty Emperor 1976, Mengistu, who’d begun to sever ties with the United Haile Selassie in ancient Ethiopia with his Americans, States, signed an amts agreement with Moscow. Some 200 President Mohammed Siad Barre in progressive, socialist Soviet military advisers were soon stationed in Ethiopia, and Somalia with his Russians. Both were despots in their own the first shipments of Soviet T-34 tanks arrived. fashion, both preposterous in their pretensions, one a relic Siad now had a serious problem. He’d enlisted Somalia in of an ancient and corrupt Christendom, holding court among world socialism under Moscow’s leadership to legitimize the feudal peasantry of the Ethiopian highlands and a supine his ambitions in the Ogaden under the Marxist-Leninist Western diplomatic corps, the other an ex-policeman and banner. Ethiopia was collapsing and the moment for shirtsleeve student of Lenin and history, a scientific-socialist redressing Somalia’s historic wrong was at hand, yet he windbag solemnly dedicated to Marxist-Leninist nation¬ was being told by his Russian mentors, now aiming his building among the nomadic pastoralists of the Indian ancient enemy, that Ethiopia was no longer an imperialist but continued on page 32

28 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 The Great Mogadishu Potato Caper BY GILBERT D. KULICK

People fortunate enough to have lived in Mogadishu in the entering Somali waters, much less of approaching the shore, were early, pre-Siad Barre days remember a much different city imperiously dismissed by the Somali brass. They professed certainty from the gutted shells of buildings, scattered heaps of that this battered old scow was in fact the vanguard of the British rubble, and sprawling refugee shantytowns among which U.S. Marine amphibious invasion that all Somalis had been expecting ever since humvees shuttle nightly on the network news. We remember a poor they had kicked the British out and laid claim to the NFD. but vibrant, tidy, whitewashed seaside village, where life was slow My initial effort at diplomatic persuasion was equally unavailing. and peaceful and most necessities were available. Hunger was The ship and its perishable cargo, General Siad insisted, had to largely unknown among the Somalis, though the expatriate commu¬ remain in port until a full explanation and apology were delivered by nity grumbled about the spartan local fare and their dependence on a personal envoy of Her Majesty. expensive and unpredictable imports for any fruits and vegetables Over the next two days, as the tommies' spuds slowly turned to beyond bananas and tomatoes. vodka in the baking equatorial sun, I wheedled and cajoled, gradually The Somalis were proud of their irreverent, rough-and-tumble paring down the Somali demands. By the end of the first day, General system of politics, which they styled—with some Siad and his cohorts, who apparently had nothing legitimacy—"Africa's only democracy.” The ho¬ more pressing to do, agreed that the captain and mogeneity, egalitarianism, and defiant individual¬ his crew could proceed to Aden. But the ship would ism of traditional Somali society were thought to have to stay, pending the requisite gesture by be proof against the dictatorship and corruption HMG. The captain, bound not to abandon ship and already smothering the early promise of indepen¬ cargo, refused the offer. dence in the rest of Africa. But the arrogance, I confess I don't recall the details. But by day manipulativeness, and xenophobiathat were even¬ three the Somalis relented. The captain, the crew, tually to contribute to Somalia’s ruination were and the ship were free to go. The potatoes, already there for all to see. however, which had been dumped on the quay for My most concentrated and memorable expo¬ “inspection,” were not. sure to these Somali attributes, as well as to the Concluding that by now the potatoes, though rich, sardonic sense of humor with which Somalis still barely edible, were unlikely to be so at the are blessedly endowed in equal measure, came in end of a two-day voyage to Aden, the bleary-eyed an episode during my tenure as Embassy captain reluctantly decided to accept his Mogadishu's officer in charge of British interests. losses—and the mutiny he predicted this would Somalia had broken diplomatic relations in provoke in Aden—and steamed out across the 1964 when the British, ignoring a plebiscite in Top: 1960 Independence Arch, reef before the Somali high command changed Kenya's Somali-populated Northern Frontier Dis¬ downtown Mogadishu. its mind. trict (NFD), handed the district over to Kenya at Bottom: Trade trucks at Mogadishu But this was not the end of the story. Due to port, 1967. independence. the vagaries of Indian Ocean shipping, now com¬ As the embassy’s junior-most officer, I inherited the OICBI title, pounded by the lingering aftermath of the Six-Day War, the local with which came not only the departed British ambassador’s Land markets for over a month had not seen a potato, the sole source Rover, his driver, and his piano, but also a war-graves cemetery, a of which was a bimonthly ship from Italy. Griping about the British Council library filled with termite bait, and responsibility forthe hardships of surviving for weeks on pasta and rice had become a welfare of thousands of “British-protected persons” from former conversational staple on the cocktail circuit. As word circulated that colonies in the region. a ship loaded with the precious tubers was in custody down at the One quiet Friday morning in mid-1967, I got a telephone call docks, market women from all over town began to congregate informing me that a British ship had been intercepted off the coast outside the gates to the port in anticipation of an over-ripe bonanza. by the Somali navy and impounded in the Mogadishu harbor. The It would stretch the limits of cynicism to suggest a commercial captain was demanding to see his “consul.” That was me. motivation, but scant hours after the “HMS Whatever” disap¬ Arriving somewhat apprehensively at the port captain’s office, I peared, the docks were clear, market stalls were cleaned out, and found myself in the presence of no less than the commander of the bourgeois families all over Mogadishu were sitting down to their Somali Army, one Mohammed Siad Barre, and his naval counterpart first meals offish and chips or steak and fries in many a week. Thus (whose name I have long since forgotten). They were hotly interrogat¬ ended the great Somali potato crisis of 1967.1 never did hear how ing the distraught captain of a Royal Navy supply ship, bound for Aden they handled the riot in Aden. ■ and now overdue with several tons of potatoes—a full month’s ration for the embattled and dispirited British garrison there. Gilbert D. Kulick served his first tour in the Foreign Service in The captain’s protestations that he had had no intention of even Somalia, from 1966-68.

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 29

AFSA’S FOREIGN SERVICE TAX GUIDE FOR 1992 Deborah M. Leahy For those taxpayers in the last cate¬ dividuals may also dispose of any Member Services Representative gory, the 2 percent is taken from each profit from the sale of personal prop¬ $1,250 exemption. erty abroad in this manner. I. Federal tax provisions For 1992 tax returns, any interest paid on auto or personal loans, credit The following is a summary of 1992 Standard deduction The standard deduction is given to cards, department stores, educational federal tax provisions as they apply to non-itemizers and alleviates the loss of loans and other personal interest will Foreign Service employees and their many deductions. It has been steadily not be allowed as an itemized deduc¬ families. Foreign Service employees increasing since 1987. For couples it is tion. If the above charges are consoli¬ most frequently ask AFSA about home $6,000; for singles the deduction is dated, however, and paid with a home ownership, tax liability upon sale of a $3,600. Married couples filing sepa¬ equity loan, any interest on the home residence, and domicile. Therefore, as rately get a standard deduction of equity loan is allowable. Mortgage in¬ in past years, we have devoted special $3,000 and head-of-household filers terest is, for the most part, still fully de¬ sections to these issues. receive a $5,250 deduction. ductible and is discussed in more detail AFSA’s Tax Guide is designed as an Most unreimbursed employee busi¬ in the home ownership section of this informational and reference tool. It ness expenses must now be reported article. Interest on loans intended to fi¬ does not presume to be any more than as miscellaneous expenses and are nance investments is deductible up to that. Although we try to be accurate, subject to a 2 percent floor of adjusted the amount of net income from invest¬ many of the new provisions of the tax gross income (AGI). This includes pro¬ ments, plus $1,000. Interest for loans code and implementing IRS regula¬ fessional dues and publications, em¬ intended to finance a business is 100 tions have not been fully tested. There¬ ployment and educational expenses, percent deductible. “Passive-invest¬ fore, use caution and consult with a home office, legal, accounting, custo¬ ment” interest on loans in which the tax adviser if you have specific ques¬ dial and tax preparation fees, home taxpayer is an inactive participant, i.e. tions or an unusual or complex situa¬ leave and representational expenses, a limited partnership, can be deducted tion. Furthermore, do not wait until the and contributions to AFSA’s Legislative only from the income produced by the last minute. The Tax Reform Act of Action Fund. Unreimbursed moving investment. Interest on loans that do 1986 is complicated and continues to expenses are the exception; they may not fall into the above categories, such go through revisions and corrections. be fully deducted without the 2 per¬ as borrowing money to buy tax-ex¬ For 1992, there are basically three cent floor. empt securities, is not deductible. tax rates for individuals, 15, 28, and 31 Medical expenses are subject to a percent. The rate is 15 percent for tax¬ floor equaling 7.5 percent of AGI. This able income up to $35,800 for married Home leave expenses means that any deductible medical couples; $21,450 for singles. The 28 Employee business expenses, such cost would have to exceed $2,250 for as home leave and representation, percent is for income up to $86,500 for couples, $51,900 for singles. The new a taxpayer with a $30,000 AGI. There have to be deducted as a miscella¬ is also an additional 3 percent reduc¬ neous expense, thereby severely lim¬ 31 percent rate is for income over tion of itemized deductions (excluding $86,500 for married couples and in¬ iting any refunds. In addition to the 2 medical, casualty, theft, and invest¬ come over $51,900 for singles. Capital percent floor, only 80 percent for ment interest) if the AGI exceeds gains are taxed at 28 percent and are meals and entertainment may be $105,250. This 3 percent is applied to reported on the reverse side of Sched¬ claimed (100 percent for unreim¬ the AGI over $105,250 and not to the ule D. bursed travel and lodging). Only the total of itemized deductions on Sched¬ employee’s (not family members’) ule 1040 A. The maximum loss of de¬ home leave expenses are deductible. Personal Exemption ductions is capped at 80 percent. Maintaining a travel log and holding For each taxpayer, spouse, and de¬ State and local income taxes and on to a copy of home leave orders will pendent the personal exemption has real estate and personal property taxes be helpful, should the IRS ever ques¬ been increased to $2,300. There is, remain fully deductible for itemizers, tion claimed expenses. It is important however, a personal exemption as are charitable contributions for most to save receipts: without receipts for phaseout of 2 percent for each $2,500 taxpayers. Donations to the AFSA food, a taxpayer may deduct only $26 of adjusted gross income (AGO over scholarship fund are fully deductible to $34 a day (depending upon the per $105,250 (singles), $131,550 (head of as charitable contributions. Donations diem rate at the home leave address), household), $157,900 (joint) and to AFSA via the Combined Federal no matter how large the grocery or res¬ $78,950 (married, filing separately). Campaign are also fully deductible. In¬ taurant bill. Lodging is deductible, as

AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE • 1 long as it is not with friends, relatives, deducted the same year, however. The imate deduction and to be aware of the or in one’s own home. The IRS will dis¬ U.S. Tax Court held in November 1988 various tax benefits that may be avail¬ allow use of per diem rates and any ex¬ that in a refinancing transaction, points able. penses claimed for family members. If must be deducted over the life of the A taxpayer 55 years or older who a hotel bill indicates double rates, the loan. A good idea would be to pay the sells his or her home can take a capital single room rate should be claimed, points with a separate check instead of gains exclusion up to $125,000 without and, if possible, the hotel’s rate sheet having the mortgage company deduct having to reinvest in another home. should be saved for IRS scrutiny. Car it from the proceeds; this way, you will This once-in-a-lifetime exemption rule rental, mileage, and other unreim¬ have records of actual points paid applies to singles and couples and may bursed travel expenses, including park¬ which should make it easier to prove not be used again even when the other ing fees and tolls, may be deducted. if any questions arise in the future. spouse reaches age 55. In order to qual¬ The new rate for business miles driven Qualified homes are defined as the ify, the taxpayer must have lived in the is 28 cents on the first 15,000 miles and taxpayer’s principal home and one home for three out of the last five years 11 cents per mile afterward. Those who other home. The second home can be (up to two years spent in a nursing use this optional mileage method need a house, condo, co-op, mobile home, home can count as time spent in the not keep detailed records of actual ve¬ or boat, as long as the structure in¬ home) prior to sale. Many Foreign Ser¬ hicle expenses. The only thing neces¬ cludes basic living accommodations, vice employees are hurt by the three sary will be a detailed odometer log to including sleeping, bathroom, and out of five year residency provision. justify the business use of the vehicle cooking facilities. If the second home Despite repeated attempts, AFSA has and percentage of business use. This is vacation property rented for fewer been unsuccessful in persuading Con¬ optional mileage method does not than 15 days during the year, the in¬ gress to grant an exemption for Foreign apply to leased vehicles. come need not be reported. Rental ex¬ Service personnel, who cannot meet penses cannot be claimed either, but all this requirement due to prolonged Official Residence property taxes and mortgage interest overseas service. Expenses (ORE) may be deducted. Under section 1034 of the tax code, Employees who receive ORE are no frequently referred to as the rollover longer allowed to reduce their report- Rental of home residence replacement rule, taxes may able income by 5 percent. The IRS rul¬ Taxpayers who are overseas and be deferred on profit from the sale of ing regarding ORE states that "usual rented their homes in 1992 can con¬ the principal residence when buying a expenses" are not deductible. Section tinue to deduct mortgage interest as a replacement principal residence within 440 of the Standardized Regulations de¬ rental expense under the passive-loss two years before or after the sale. fines "usual expenses" as 5 percent of rules, as long as the AGI does not ex¬ Americans working abroad, including salary. The only expenses that are de¬ ceed $100,000 and the taxpayer is ac¬ Foreign Service employees on overseas ductible after October 1, 1990 will be tively managing the property. Retaining assignment, are permitted up to an ad¬ expenses above the 5 percent that are a property manager does not mean los¬ ditional two-year period to replace paid out of pocket. Employees should ing this benefit. Also deductible are their former residence. The deferral save receipts for any out-of-pocket ex¬ property management fees, deprecia¬ rule may be applied repeatedly, and penses associated with their represen¬ tion costs, taxes, losses (such as cost of there is no limit on the amount eligible tational duties. These expenses can be improvements) up to $25,000, after off¬ for deferral of taxation. deducted as miscellaneous business setting the rental income. Temporary rental of the home does expenses. not necessarily disqualify one from claiming the deferral. The IRS has never Sale of residence defined what time period constitutes If there is a profit on sale of a prin¬ Home ownership temporary but will probably challenge For 1992, employees may deduct in¬ cipal residence, taxes at the rate of 28 a claim that the home was a principal terest up to $1 million on acquisition percent are owed on the profit or cap¬ residence if it had been rented for many debt for loans secured by a first and/or ital gains, unless one qualifies for one years and had clearly become an in¬ second home. This also includes loans of the tax benefits discussed below. Ef¬ vestment property. Foreign Service em¬ taken out for major home im¬ forts by Congress to reduce the rate of ployees who are overseas for provements. On home equity loans, in¬ taxation on capital gains were de¬ prolonged periods during which they terest is deductible up to $100,000, no feated. Although legislation aimed at rent their homes are increasingly sub¬ matter how much the home cost or reducing capital gains taxation will ject to IRS scrutiny when they sell their what the loan is used for. The $100,000 likely be reintroduced, capital gains are houses and claim deferral of capital ceiling applies to the total of all home currently fully taxable. In many in¬ gains. equity loans you may have. stances, total taxable income from Under a 1957 U.S. Tax Court deci¬ The same generally applies to refi¬ wages and profits move an employee sion, Trisko v. Commissioner, a Foreign nancing a mortgage. Points paid to ob¬ into a higher tax bracket. It is, therefore, Service employee was granted the de- tain a refinanced loan cannot fully be extremely important to take every legit¬

2* AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE ferral while he was living abroad even the equity proceeds in escrow, identify though it was once used as a principal though he had rented his home for a in writing within 45 days the property residence. 44-month period prior to sale while he they intend to acquire, and settle on the Many Foreign Service employees was abroad. The court determined that new property within 180 days, using ask what items can be added to the cost his house remained a principal resi¬ the money held in escrow as part of the basis of their homes when they are dence even though it was converted to payment. ready to sell. Money spent on "fixing investment property. In reaching this It is important to emphasize that the up" the home for sale to reach what is decision, the court applied the follow¬ exchange is from one investment prop¬ called adjusted sales price may be de¬ ing tests: Was the property the erty to another investment property. It ducted from the sales price. To qualify taxpayer’s only home? Did he reside in is possible to convert an investment as legitimate "fixing-up costs", the fol¬ it prior to going overseas? Did he intend property to a residence at some point lowing conditions must be met: 1) the to return to the residence upon com¬ in the indefinite future, but the key fac¬ expenses must be for work performed pletion of overseas duty? And what tor in the IRS evaluation of an exchange during the 90-day period ending on the were the reasons for selling it? In the transaction is the intent of the investor day on which the contract to sell the old Trisko case, the taxpayer was able to at the time the exchange was consum¬ residence was made; 2) the expenses satisfy all of the court’s concerns. mated. must be paid on or before the 30th day Please note, however, that all courts do The IRS rules for the exchanges are after sale of the house, and 3) the ex¬ not recognize this case as a precedent complex and specific, with a number of penses must not be capital expendi¬ and that the facts of each individual pitfalls that can nullify the transaction. tures for permanent improvements or case are very important. Consequently, the exchange should replacements (these can be added to On the basis of this decision and never be attempted without assistance the basis of the property, original pur¬ conversations with tax experts, AFSA from real estate, tax, and legal profes¬ chase price, thereby reducing the suggests claiming the deferral only if sionals specializing in this field. amount of profit). A new roof and the circumstances are similar to those Foreign Service employees who are kitchen counters are not "fix-up" items. of this case and if the home is rented contemplating the sale of a rental prop¬ But painting the house, cleaning up the only during assignments overseas and erty that had previously been a resi¬ garden, and making minor repairs not longer than 44 months. A copy of dence and are expecting to roll the qualify as "fixing-up costs". the Trisko decision may be requested proceeds of the sale into a new home from AFSA. without tax consequences are urged to Lump-sum credit option A considerable number of Foreign check their status under IRS rules with For those who retired under the Al¬ Service employees do not qualify tax experts before taking any definitive ternative Form of Annuity (AFA), thus under the deferral rule because of ex¬ action. If the property is considered an electing the lump-sum withdrawal of tended absences from the house. If at investment by the IRS, a straight sale contributions to the retirement trust all possible, Foreign Service employees will trigger capital gains tax obligations. fund, the lump sum is taxable in the should move back into the house for at In this circumstance, the Section 1031 year in which it is received. Note that least six months before selling it, exchange provision, as an alternative as of December 1, 1991, the lump-sum thereby reestablishing principal resi¬ method of disposing of property, may credit is no longer an option. dence. If this is not possible, they might offer very significant tax relief. Those retiring before reaching age look into a tax-deferred property ex¬ 55 will have an extra 10 percent tax ap¬ change, which is essentially a real es¬ plied to that part of the lump sum in¬ tate investor’s version of the residence Temporary Rental What happens if one purchases and cluded in gross income. In general, replacement rule. moves to a new residence then decides 85-95 percent of the lump sum is tax¬ to get some rental income from the old able. For those who prepare their own Property exchanges home before selling it a couple of years tax returns, IRS publication No. 721 Under Internal Revenue Code 1031, later? The IRS may determine that the contains instructions, actuarial tables, a Foreign Service employee whose U.S. taxpayer no longer meets the "principal and worksheets for calculating the "ex¬ home may no longer qualify for the residence" test for the old home, since clusion percentage" applicable to lump customary residence replacement mle he or she moved out of it and converted sum and monthly annuity payments. may be eligible to replace the property it to investment property. Again, intent The Senior Executive Service filed through an "exchange". In essence, one is key. The IRS allows temporary rental suit in the U.S. Court of Claims for the property being rented out may be ex¬ prior to sale as a "matter of conve¬ refund of lump-sum tax payments on changed for another, as long as that nience", such as a poor resale market the grounds of double taxation, since also is rented. In exchanging the prop¬ at the time the new home was pur¬ these funds had already been taxed be¬ erties, capital gains tax may be de¬ chased. If the IRS determines that rental fore being deposited into the retire¬ ferred. Technically, a simultaneous income was the prime motive for not ment trust fund. The Court of Claims trade of investments occurs. Actually, selling the house, taxes must be paid ruled against SES, however, and the owners first sell their property, place on the gain of rental property, even case is now being appealed to the U.S.

AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE • 3 Court of Appeals. Regardless of the de¬ In such cases, the states will make a Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Wash¬ cision, the case will surely be appealed determination of the individual’s in¬ ington, and Wyoming. In addition, to the Supreme Court so a final decision come tax status based on other factors, New Hampshire and Tennessee have cannot be expected for some time. including where the individual has no tax on personal income but do tax family ties, where he or she is regis¬ profits from the sale of bonds and prop¬ II. State tax provisions tered to vote or has a driver’s license, erty. where he or she owns property, or There are also seven states which, This guide will help to answer some where the person has bank accounts or under certain conditions, do not tax in¬ of the questions regarding one of the other financial holdings. In the case of come earned outside of the state: Con¬ most perplexing problems facing For¬ Foreign Service employees, the domi¬ necticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New eign Service employees and retirees: cile might be the state from which the York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and West the filing of state income tax. Every person joined the service or where he Virginia. The requirements are that the member serving abroad must maintain or she intends to return upon separa¬ individual have a permanent “place of a state of domicile in the United States, tion. For purposes of this article, the abode” in the state, and not spend more and the tax liability that the employee term domicile refers to legal residence; than 30 (31 in the case of Oregon) days faces varies greatly from state to state. some states also define it as permanent in the state during the tax year. Also, In addition, there are myriad regula¬ residence. Residence refers to physical please note that these seven states re¬ tions pertaining to the taxability of For¬ presence in the state. quire the filing of non-resident returns eign Service pensions and annuities, as Foreign Service personnel must con¬ for all income earned from in-state each state has different rules about the tinue to pay taxes to the state of domi¬ sources. conditions under which individuals are cile (or to the District of Columbia) AFSA is aware of a case in which a liable for taxes on such income. while residing outside of the state, in¬ Foreign Service employee domiciled in This guide, which supersedes last cluding during assignments abroad. Pennsylvania was forced to continue year’s article on the subject (see the Thus, it is advantageous if the state of paying state income tax even though Journal, February 1992), will review domicile has little or no tax on income the employee was assigned overseas the laws regarding income tax and tax earned outside the state. and occupied government housing. on annuities and pensions as they per¬ A non-resident, according to most The state of Pennsylvania held that tain to Foreign Service personnel. The states’ definitions, is an individual who “quarters provided by the government provisions will be reviewed on a state- earns income or interest in the specific at no cost to Petitioner cannot be con¬ by-state basis to make it easy for mem¬ state but does not live there or is living sidered as maintaining a permanent bers to concentrate on laws that are there for only part of the year (usually, place of abode.” Members of the For¬ applicable to their situation. Please less than six months). Individuals are eign Service who are quartered in gov¬ note that while AFSA makes every at¬ generally considered residents and are ernment housing will have to pay tempt to provide the most up-to-date thus full liable for taxes, if they are income tax to Pennsylvania. If they rent information, readers with specific domiciled in the state or if they are liv¬ their own home overseas, however, questions should still speak with a tax ing in the state (usually at least six they will be exempt from these taxes. expert in the state in question. months of the year) but are not domi¬ AFSA is not aware of a similar ruling in The first section of the guide will ciled there. any of the other six states but Foreign summarize individual state income tax Foreign Service employees residing Service employees should be aware provisions, and the second section will in metropolitan Washington, are also that states could challenge the status of examine each state’s laws on exemp¬ required to pay income tax to either the government housing in the future. tions of annuities and pensions. District, Maryland, or Virginia in addi¬ The following list gives a state-by- Many Foreign Service employees tion to paying tax to the state of their state overview of the latest information have questions about their liability to domicile. However, most states allow a available on tax liability. Tax rates are pay state income taxes during periods credit, so that the taxpayer pays the provided where possible. For further posted overseas or assigned to Wash¬ higher tax rate of the two states, with information please contact AFSA’s ington. It is a fundamental rule of law each state receiving a share. California Member Services Department. that all U.S. citizens, because they have specifically exempts career appointees the right to vote, retain a state of domi¬ in the Foreign Service who are domi¬ Alabama: Individuals who are dom¬ cile even if residing abroad. There are ciled in California but reside outside the iciled in Alabama are considered to be many criteria used in determining state and do not earn income in Cali¬ residents and are subject to tax on their which state is a citizen’s domicile. One fornia (as published in FTB Publication entire income regardless of their phys¬ of the strongest determinants is pro¬ No. 1031). AFSA would like to con¬ ical presence in the state. Alabama’s tax longed physical presence, a standard tinue hearing from employees who rate ranges from 2 percent to 5 percent that Foreign Service personnel fre¬ have a problem over this exemption. of taxable income. Forms can be re¬ quently cannot meet, due to overseas There are currently seven states with quested by writing to: Alabama Depart¬ service. no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, ment of Revenue, Income Tax Forms,

4* AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE P.O. Box 327470, Montgomery, Ala¬ Delaware: Individuals who are cent. Forms can be requested by writ¬ bama 36132-7470. domiciled in Delaware are considered ing to: Idaho State Tax Commission, Alaska: No state income tax. to be residents and are subject to tax on Forms Division, 700 West State Street, Arizona: Individuals who are dom¬ their entire income regardless of their P.O. Box 36, Boise, ID 83722. iciled in Arizona are considered to be physical presence in the state. : Individuals who are domi¬ residents and are subject to tax on their Delaware’s tax rate ranges from 3.2 per¬ ciled in Illinois are considered to be res¬ entire income regardless of their phys¬ cent to 7.7 percent of taxable income. idents and are subject to tax on their ical presence in the state. Arizona’s tax Forms can be requested by writing to: entire income regardless of their phys¬ rate ranges from 3-8 percent to 7 per¬ Division of Revenue, Taxpayers Assis¬ ical presence in the state. Illinois’s tax cent of taxable income. Forms can be tance Section, State Office Building, 9th rate is 3 percent of taxable income. requested by writing to: Arizona De¬ & French Streets, Wilmington, Dela¬ Forms can be requested by writing to: partment of Revenue, Attention: Forms, ware 19801. Illinois Department of Revenue, Forms 1600 West Monroe, Phoenix, Arizona District of Columbia: Individuals Division, 101 West Jefferson St., Spring- 85007. who are domiciled in the District of Co¬ field, Illinois 62794. Arkansas: Individuals who are lumbia are considered to be residents Indiana: Individuals who are dom¬ domiciled in Arkansas are considered and are subject to tax on their entire in¬ iciled in Indiana are considered to be to be residents and are subject to tax on come regardless of their physical pres¬ residents and are subject to tax on their their entire income regardless of their ence there. The District of Columbia’s entire income regardless of their phys¬ physical presence in the state. tax rate ranges from 6 percent to 9.5 ical presence in the state. Indiana’s tax Arkansas’s tax rate ranges from 1 per¬ percent of taxable income. Forms can rate is 3-4 percent of taxable income. cent to 7 percent of taxable income. be requested by writing to: Taxpayer Forms can be requested by writing to: Forms can be requested by writing to: Assistance Services, 300 Indiana Ave. Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Ser¬ Department of Finance and Adminis¬ N.W., Rm. 1046, Washington, D.C. vices Division, State Office Building, tration, Income Tax Forms Division, 20001. Effective 1988, the D.C. tax ex¬ Room 208, 100 N. Senate Ave., India¬ P.O. Box 3628, Little Rock, AR 72203- clusion no longer applies to Foreign napolis, IN 46204. California: Exempts career Foreign Service employees. AFSA’s appeal of Iowa: Individuals who are domi¬ Service employees living outside Cali¬ the D.C. tax ruling has been denied, ciled in Iowa are considered to be res¬ fornia from taxes on out-of-state in¬ thus employees must pay D.C. income idents and are subject to tax on their come. Personnel must file form 540NR. tax while residing in the District. entire income regardless of their phys¬ Forms can be requested by writing to: Florida: No state income tax. ical presence in the state. Iowa’s tax State of California, Franchise Tax Georgia: Individuals who are dom¬ rate ranges from .40 percent to 9.98 per¬ Board, Taxpayer Services, P.O. Box iciled in Georgia are considered to be cent of taxable income. Forms can be 942840, Sacramento, CA 94280-0040. residents and are subject to tax on their requested by writing to: Department of Colorado: Individuals who are entire income regardless of their phys¬ Revenue and Finance, Forms Division, domiciled in Colorado are considered ical presence in the state. Georgia’s tax Hoover State Office Building, Des to be residents and are subject to tax on rate ranges from 1 percent to 6 percent Moines, Iowa 50319. their entire income regardless of their of taxable income. Forms can be re¬ Kansas: Individuals who are domi¬ physical presence in the state. quested by writing to: Georgia Depart¬ ciled in Kansas are considered to be Colorado’s tax rate is 5 percent of tax¬ ment of Revenue, Forms Division, 305 residents and are subject to tax on their able income. Forms can be requested Trinity-Washington Building, Atlanta, entire income regardless of their phys¬ by writing to: Department of Revenue, Georgia 30334. ical presence in the state. Kansas’s tax Taxpayer Service Division, State Capi¬ Hawaii: Individuals who are domi¬ rate ranges from 3.65 percent to 8.75 tol Annex, 1375 Sherman St., Denver, ciled in Hawaii are considered to be percent. Forms can be requested by Colorado 80261. residents and are subject to tax on their writing to: Kansas Income and Inheri¬ Connecticut: Individuals who are entire income regardless of their phys¬ tance Tax Bureau, Box 12001, Topeka, domiciled in Connecticut are consid¬ ical presence in the state. Hawaii’s tax KS 66612-2001. ered to be non-residents and are ex¬ rate ranges from 2 percent to 10 percent Kentucky: Individuals who are empt from tax on their entire income if of taxable income. Forms can be re¬ domiciled in Kentucky are considered they have a permanent place of abode quested by writing to: Oahu District Of¬ to be residents and are subject to tax on outside the state, have no permanent fice, Taxpayer Services Branch, P.O. their entire income regardless of their place of abode in the state and spend Box 3559, Honolulu, HI, 967811-3559. physical presence in the state. no more than 30 days in the state dur¬ Idaho: Individuals who are domi¬ Kentucky’s tax rate ranges from 2 per¬ ing the taxable year. Forms can be re¬ ciled in Idaho are considered to be res¬ cent to 6 percent of all taxable income quested by writing to: Department of idents and are subject to tax on their over $8,000. Forms can be requested by Revenue Services, Taxpayer Services entire income regardless of their phys¬ writing: Property and Mail Services Sec¬ Division, 92 Farmington Ave., Hartford ical presence in the state. Idaho’s tax tion, 859 East Main Street, Revenue CT 06105. rate ranges from 2 percent to 8.2 per¬ Cabinet, Frankfort, KY 40620.

AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE • 5 Louisiana: Individuals who are Department of Treasury, Forms Divi¬ nial Mall South, P.O. Box 94818, Lin¬ domiciled in Louisiana are considered sion, Treasury Building, Lansing, Mich¬ coln, Nebraska 68509-4818. residents and are subject to tax on their igan 48922. Nevada: No state income tax. entire income regardless of their phys¬ Minnesota: Individuals who are New Hampshire: No personal in¬ ical presence in the state. Louisiana’s domiciled in Minnesota are considered come tax, but tax liability 8 percent on tax rate ranges from 2 percent to 6 per¬ residents and are subject to tax on their profits from in-state sources, including cent of taxable income. Forms can be entire income regardless of their phys¬ the sale of property and bonds. requested by writing to: Department of ical presence in the state. Minnesota’s New Jersey: No tax liability for out- Revenue and Taxation, Forms Division, tax rate ranges from 6 percent to 8.5 of-state income if the individual has no P.O. Box 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70821- percent. Forms can be requested by permanent residence in New Jersey, 0201. writing to: Department of Revenue, has a permanent residence elsewhere, Maine: Individuals who are domi¬ Forms Division, Mail Station 4453, Saint and is not physically in the state for ciled in Maine are considered to be res¬ Paul, MN 55146. more than 30 days during the tax year. idents and are subject to tax on their Mississippi: Individuals who are Filing a return is not required, but is rec¬ entire income regardless of their phys¬ domiciled in Mississippi are considered ommended in order to preserve domi¬ ical presence in the state. Maine’s tax to be residents and are subject to tax on cile status. Filing is required on Form rate ranges from 2.1 percent to 9.89 per¬ their entire income regardless of their 1040 NR for revenue derived from in¬ cent of taxable income. Forms can be physical presence in the state. state sources. Forms may be requested requested by calling 1-800-338-5811 or Mississippi’s tax rate ranges from 3 per¬ by writing to: Department of the Trea¬ writing to: Bureau of Taxation, Forms cent to 5 percent. Forms can be re¬ sury, Division of Taxation, CN 269, Division, State Office Building, Au¬ quested by writing to: State Tax Trenton, NJ 08625-0269. gusta, ME 04333. Commission, Forms Division, P.O Box New Mexico: Individuals who are Maryland: Individuals who are 1033, Jackson, MS 39215. domiciled in New Mexico are consid¬ domiciled in Maryland are considered Missouri: No tax liability for out-of- ered residents and are subject to tax on to be residents and are subject to tax on state income if the individual has no their entire income regardless of their their entire income regardless of their permanent residence in Missouri, has a physical presence in the state. New physical presence in the state. permanent residence elsewhere, and is Mexico’s tax rate is based upon income Maryland’s tax rate ranges from 2 per¬ not physically present in the state for and filing status. Please contact the cent to 6 percent. An individual is also more than 30 days during the tax year. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue subject to a county income tax rate A return must be filed yearly with an Department for further information. which is a percentage of the State in¬ attached affidavit of non-residency. Fil¬ Forms can be requested by writing to: come tax liability. For the 1992 tax year, ing is also required on Form 40, Sched¬ State of New Mexico, Taxation and all counties, except Worcester County, ule NRI, for income of more than $600 Revenue Department, Taxpayer Ser¬ charge a 60 percent rate. Worcester from Missouri sources. vices, P.O. Box 630, Santa Fe, New County is 20 percent. Forms can be re¬ Forms can be requested by writing Mexico 87509-0630. quested by writing to: Income Tax Di¬ to: Tax Administration Bureau, Forms New York: No tax liability for out- vision, State Office Building, 301 West Division, PO Box 220, Jefferson City, of-state income if the individual has no Preston St., Room 903, Baltimore, MD MO 6105-2200. permanent residence in New York, has 21201-2384. Montana: Individuals who are a permanent residence elsewhere, and Massachusetts: Individuals who domiciled in Montana are considered is not present in the state more than 30 are domiciled in Massachusetts are to be residents and are subject to tax on days during the tax year. Filing a return considered residents and are subject to their entire income regardless of their is not required, but it is recommended tax on their entire income regardless of physical presence in the state. to preserve domicile status. Filing is re¬ their physical presence in the state. Montana’s tax rate ranges from 2 per¬ quired on Form IT-203-I or IT-203-P for Massachusetts’s tax rate ranges from cent to 11 percent. To request forms: revenue derived from New York 5.95 percent to 12 percent. Forms can Montana Department of Revenue, In¬ sources. Forms can be requested by be requested by writing to: Massachu¬ come Tax Division, PO Box 5805, He¬ writing to: Department of Taxation and setts Department of Revenue, Service lena, MT 59604. Finance, Technical Services, W.A. Har- and Supply Section, 100 Cambridge Nebraska: Individuals who are riman Campus, Albany, NY 12227. Street, Boston, MA 02204. domiciled in Nebraska are considered North Carolina: Individuals who Michigan: Individuals who are to be residents and are subject to tax on are domiciled in North Carolina are domiciled in Michigan are considered their entire income regardless of their considered residents and are subject to to be residents and are subject to tax on physical presence in the state. tax on their entire income regardless of their entire income regardless of their Nebraska’s tax rate ranges from 2.37 their physical presence in the state. physical presence in the state. percent to 6.92 percent. Forms can be North Carolina’s tax rate ranges from 6 Michigan’s tax rate is 4.6 percent. requested by writing to: Department of percent to 7.75 percent of taxable in¬ Forms can be requested by writing to: Revenue, Forms Division, 301 Centen¬ come. Forms can be requested by writ-

6* AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE ing: Department of Revenue, Taxpayer vice living abroad in government quar¬ $3,400 and $13,100, and a 6 percent Services Department, Revenue Build¬ ters must continue to pay income tax. surtax on the federal liability over ing, Raleigh, NC 27640. Pennsylvania’s tax rate is 2.95 percent. $13,100. Forms can be requested by North Dakota: Individuals who are Forms can be requested by writing to: writing to: State of Vermont, Depart¬ domiciled in North Dakota are consid¬ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, De¬ ment of Taxes, Taxpayer Services Divi¬ ered residents and are subject to tax on partment of Revenue, Taxpayer Ser¬ sion, Pavilion Office Building, their entire income regardless of their vices Department, Harrisburg, PA Montpelier, VT 05602. physical presence in the state. North 17128-1061. Virginia: Individuals who are dom¬ Dakota’s tax rate is 14 percent of tax¬ Rhode Island: Individuals who are iciled in Virginia are considered resi¬ able income. Forms can be requested domiciled in Rhode Island are consid¬ dents and are subject to tax on their by writing to: Office of State Tax Com¬ ered residents and are subject to tax on entire income regardless of their phys¬ missioner, State Capitol, Bismarck, their entire income regardless of their ical presence in the state. Virginia’s tax North Dakota 58505. physical presence in the state. Rhode rate ranges from 2 percent to 5.75 per¬ Ohio: Individuals who are domi¬ Island’s tax rate is 27.5 percent of fed¬ cent of taxable income. Forms can be ciled in Ohio are considered residents eral income tax liability. Forms can be requested by writing to: Virginia De¬ and are subject to tax on their entire in¬ requested by writing to: Rhode Island partment of Taxation, Taxpayer Ser¬ come regardless of their physical pres¬ Division of Taxation, Taxpayer Ser¬ vices Division, P.O. Box 1115, ence in the state. Ohio’s tax rate ranges vices Division, 289 Promenade St., Richmond, VA 23208. from .743 percent to 6.9 percent. For Providence, RI 02908-5801. Washington: No state income tax. forms, write: Ohio Department of Tax¬ South Carolina: Individuals who West Virginia: No tax liability for ation, P.O. Box 2476, Columbus OH are domiciled in South Carolina are out-of-state income if the individual 43266-0076. considered residents and are subject to has no permanent residence in West Oklahoma: Individuals who are tax on their entire income regardless of Virginia, has a permanent residence domiciled in Oklahoma are considered their physical presence in the state. elsewhere, and spends no more than residents and are subject to tax on their South Carolina’s tax rate ranges from 30 days of the tax year in West Virginia. entire income regardless of their phys¬ 2.5 percent to 7 percent. Forms can be Filing a return is not required, but it is ical presence in the state. Oklahoma’s requested by writing to: South Carolina recommended to preserve domicile tax rate is based upon income and var¬ Tax Commission, Forms Division, 301 status. Filing is required on form IT- ious exemptions. Please contact the Gervais Street, P.O. Box 125, Columbia, 140-NR for all income derived from Oklahoma Tax Commission for further SC 29214. West Virginia sources. Forms can be re¬ information. Forms can be requested South Dakota: No state income tax. quested by writing to: The Department by writing to: Oklahoma Tax Commis¬ Tennessee: No personal income of Tax and Revenue, Taxpayer Services sion, Taxpayer Services Division, 2501 tax, but tax liability on profits from in¬ Division, P.O. Box 3784, Charleston, Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, state sources, including the sale of WV 25337. OK 73194-0009. property and bonds. Tennessee’s tax Wisconsin: Individuals domiciled Oregon: No tax liability for out-of- rate is 6 percent. in Wisconsin are considered residents state income if the individual has no Texas: No state income tax. and are subject to tax on their entire in¬ permanent residence in the state, has a Utah: Individuals who are domi¬ come regardless of their physical pres¬ permanent residence elsewhere, and ciled in Utah are considered residents ence in the state. Wisconsin’s tax rate spends no more than 31 days in the and are subject to tax on their entire in¬ ranges from 4.9 percent to 6.93 percent. state during the tax year. Filing a return come regardless of their physical pres¬ Forms can be requested by writing to: is not required, but it is recommended ence in the state. Utah’s tax rate is 7.2 Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Ser¬ to preserve domicile status. Forms can percent of taxable income. Forms can vices Division, 125 South Webster be requested by writing to Department be requested by writing to: Utah State Street, P.O. Box 8933, Madison, Wis¬ of Revenue, Forms Division, 955 Center Tax Commission, Taxpayer Services consin 53708. Street N.E., Salem, Oregon 97310. Division, Heber M. Wells Building, 160 Wyoming: No state income tax. Pennsylvania: No tax liability for East Third Street, Salt Lake City, Utah out-of-state income if the individual 84134-0200. State pension & annuity tax has no permanent residence in the Vermont: Individuals who are state, has a permanent residence else¬ domiciled in Vermont are considered The laws regarding the taxation of where, and spends no more than 30 residents and are subject to tax on their Foreign Service annuities vary greatly days in the state during the tax year. Fil¬ entire income regardless of their phys¬ from state to state. In addition to the 10 ing a return is not required, but it is rec¬ ical presence in the state. Vermont’s tax states that have no income tax or no tax ommended to preserve domicile status. rate ranges from 28 to 34 percent of fed¬ on personal income, there are several Filing is required on form PA40-NR for eral income tax liability. In addition, states that do not tax income derived all income derived from Pennsylvania there are two surtaxes: a 3 percent sur¬ from pensions and annuities. There are sources. Members of the Foreign Ser¬ tax on the federal liability between three states—Iowa, Kansas and North

AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE • 7 Dakota—that tax Foreign Service annu¬ tion. Michigan: Full exemption for Civil ities while exempting those of the Civil Arkansas: Up to $6,000 exempt. Service annuities. See above for discus¬ Service. In addition, there are three California: Fully taxable. sion of U.S. Supreme Court decision in states—Arizona, Idaho, and Okla¬ Colorado: Up to $20,000 exempt, Davis v. Michigan. Foreign Service an¬ homa—that have provisions exempt¬ only if 55 or older. nuities may exclude $7,500 when filing ing certain amounts of Civil Service Connecticut: Fully taxable. single and $10,000 when filing jointly. annuities. It is unclear from the infor¬ Delaware: Two exclusions: (1) Up Minnesota: Individuals 65 and mation available to AFSA whether the to $2,000 exempt if earned income is older or permanently disabled may ob¬ exemption pertains to Foreign Service less than $2,500 and Adjusted Gross In¬ tain an exclusion of certain income by annuities as well. come is less than $10,000; if married filling out a Subtraction for the Elderly In response to the U.S. Supreme and filing jointly, up to $4,000 exempt form. Whether an individual qualifies Court’s decision in Davis v. Michigan if earned income is less than $5,000 and for an exclusion depends on several Department of the Treasury, annuitants AGI is under $20,000. This exclusion is criteria, including amount of income, in a number of states are challenging applicable if 60 years or older or totally amount of social security benefits re¬ unequal taxation of state versus federal disabled. (2) Amounts received as pen¬ ceived, and the amount of the pension. annuities. In this precedent-setting de¬ sion exempted up to $2,000 if under 60 An individual must fill out this form to cision, the court ruled that the policy of and up to $3,000 if over 60. determine if he or she qualifies. the state of Michigan to exempt from District of Columbia: $3,000 ex¬ Mississippi: Up to $6,000 of annu¬ taxation the annuities of retired state of empt only if the taxpayer is 62 years or ity may be excluded. Michigan and local government em¬ older. Missouri: Fully taxable. ployees while taxing the annuities of Florida: No personal income tax. Montana: Fully taxable. Up to retired federal employees residing in Georgia: $10,000 exempt for those $3,600 exemption if Federal AGI does Michigan discriminates against federal 62 years or older or permanently or to¬ not exceed $31,800. annuitants and is therefore unconstitu¬ tally disabled. Nebraska: Fully taxable. tional. Because many states have sim¬ Hawaii: Full exemption. Nevada: No personal income tax. ilar practices regarding the treatment of Idaho: Up to $11,700 exempt for a New Hampshire: No personal in¬ annuitant income, individuals and single return; up to $17,544 if filing come tax. groups are currently involved in litiga¬ jointly. Up to $9394 exempt for unmar¬ New Jersey: In general, pensions tion in order to compel their states of ried survivor of annuitant. Must be 65 and annuities are subject to the New residence to comply with Davis v. years or older, or 63 years or older and Jersey income tax with the following Michigan. See the list of states for up¬ disabled. Amount reduced dollar for exemptions for individuals who are 62 dates on litigation. dollar by social security benefits. How¬ years or older, or totally and perma¬ In particular, retired AFSA members ever, it is not clear whether this exclu¬ nently disabled, to exclude all or a por¬ in Arizona have banded together with sion pertains to Foreign Service tion of their pension income as follows: other federal annuitants to pursue a annuities. See above paragraphs for singles can exclude up to $7,500; mar¬ class action suit against the Arizona De¬ further information. ried filing jointly can exclude up to partment of Revenue. Interested parties Illinois: Full exemption. $10,000; and a married couple filing are encouraged to contact: Brian Indiana: $2,000 exemption for most separately can exclude up to $5,000 Luscher, Bonn & Jensen, 805 North Sec¬ 62 or older, reduced dollar for dollar by each. ond Street, Phoenix, A2 85004, (602) social security benefits. New Mexico: Up to $3,000 is ex¬ 254-5557. Iowa: Fully taxable. empt. All other states tax Foreign and Civil Kansas: Full exemption. New York: Full exemption for indi¬ Service annuities and pensions to vary¬ Kentucky: Full exemption. viduals over 59 1/2 years. ing degrees. The following information Louisiana: Full exemption. May North Carolina: Up to $4,000 may is current but does not reflect changes exclude up to $6,000 for single, $12,000 be excluded. that may result from current legal action for married filing jointly, only if 65 years North Dakota: Specifically ex¬ in various states in response to Davis or older. empts Civil Service, but not Foreign v. Michigan. Maine: Fully taxable. Service annuities. Foreign Service an¬ Maryland: For individuals 65 years nuities are fully taxable. If individuals Alabama: As of January 1,1990, the or older or permanently disabled, pen¬ use Form 37 there is an exclusion of United States Foreign Service Retire¬ sions and annuities are excluded up to up to $5,000. ment and Disability Fund Annuities are $12,300 using the following formula: Ohio: Gives a tax credit based on not taxable. The total amount of social security ben¬ the amount of the retirement annuity. Alaska: No personal income tax. efits received is subtracted from If the annuity is below $500 then there Arizona: All annuity pensions are $12,300. The remaining amount is ex¬ is no credit. Annuity of $500-1,499 mer¬ taxable. Federal, State and local Ari¬ empted. its a $25 credit; $l,500-$2,999 merits zona localities receive a $2,500 exemp¬ Massachusetts: Full exemption. $50 credit; $3,000-$4,999 merits $80

8* AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE credit; $5000-$7,999 merits $130 credit; tax. Wisconsin: All amounts received and any annuity over $8,000 merits a Tennessee: Full exemption. from a U.S. Government retirement sys¬ credit of $200. The maximum credit per Texas: No personal income tax. tem which are paid on the account of return is $200. Utah: $7,500 exemption. a person who was a member of, or who Oklahoma: $5,500 excluded. How¬ Vermont: Fully taxable. was retired from, the system as of De¬ ever, it is not clear whether this exemp¬ Virginia: $12,000 plus $800 per¬ cember 31, 1963 are exempt from Wis¬ tion pertains to Foreign Service sonal exemption is exempted (exclud¬ consin income tax. All other pensions annuities. See above paragraph for fur¬ ing social security) for individuals over and annuities are fully taxable. ther discussion. 65. $6,000 is exempted (excluding so¬ Wyoming: No personal income tax. Oregon: $5,000 exemption for cial security) for people 62-65. There is those who are 62 years or older. It is no exemption for annuities for taxpay¬ The author would like to express phased out for annuities over $30,000. ers under 62 years of age. thanks for their help in preparing this Pennsylvania: Full exemption. Washington: No personal income article to AFSA’s tax consultant, Bob Rhode Island: Fully taxable. tax. Dussell, who continues to advise count¬ South Carolina: Up to $3,000 may West Virginia: There is an $8,000 less Foreign Service employees, and be excluded. exclusion for income from any source Marjorie and Karl Ackerman. South Dakota: No personal income for those 65 years or older.

AFSA Legislative Action Fund Contributors, 1992 AFSA would like to express its thanks to the following contributors. The list continues on page 5. Names of remaining 1992 contributors will be published in a later issue. Margaret E. Abraham Margaret Bourgerie Howard D. Clark James J. Dunlap Dale Claire Gibb Martin Y. Hirabayashi Martin Ackerman Norman M. Bouton K. Clark-Bourne Thomas P. H. Dunlop Lee P. Gibson Wilber W. Hitchcock Lottie Adamek John Bovey Dean Qaussen Paxton T. Dunn Roger G. Gifford William Hoffar Cliff & Isabel Adams Barbara A. Bowen Alice W. Clement Thomas J. Dunnigan JayW. Gildner Ruth G. Hofmeister Eugene J. Adams Thomas D. Boyatt Harlan Cleveland Philip F. Dur William J. Gill Ruth Hogan Michael J. Adams Alice F. Boynton Florence F. W. Coey Elbridge Durbrow Alan A. Gise Robert M. Holley Madison Adams, Jr. Virginia L. Braddock Herman J. Cohen Michael J. Dux Ralph N. Gleason Phillip C. Holloway Robert W. Adler Robert M. Brandin Louis A. Cohen Jake M. Dyels, Jr. Dorothy N. Glenn Donna Mae Holmes Harold Aisley Ola M. Branscum Irvin D. Coker William Eagleton William H. Gleysteen Mildred O. Holt David A. Alarid Robert Bravo Philip R. Cook, Jr. Frank Eakin Ruth Godson Virginia Holte Leslie M. Alexander William H. Bray Mark A. Cole William F. Eaton R. Goeckermann David C. Holton Charlotte Allen Charles H. Brayshaw Harold W. Collamer William Edmondson Gerald Goldman Helen J. Horan Thomas G. Allen Charles Breitenbach Stephen Comisky CarlynJ. Elliot Frank G. Golino Elsie M. Horne G. William Anderson Edward T. Brennan Mary Sue Conaway Howard Elting, Jr. William W. Gonz Robert G. Houdek Lester C. Anderson Patrick W. Brennan Wayne Conner Mary Parker England Benjamin C. Goode Frances D. Howell Sarah L. Andren William D. Brewer William B. Connett Sharon Epstein Andrew Goodron David D. Hoyt Robert F. Andrew Robert C. Brewster John O. Cook Nels Erickson Ann Gordon Peter Hubbard Carlos E. Aranaga Lena P. Bridges William W. Copeland Martha C. Erwin George Grande Robert Huddleston Julio J. Arias Madison Broadnax George Corinaldi, Jr. Flavio A. Esposito Roderick N. Grant Arthur H. Hudson John Armitage Anne S. Brooks Edwin G. Corr Thomas S. Estes Stephen H. Grant Jewel F. Huff Lois Aroian David Brown M. Lee Cotterman Raymond C. Ewing Theodore Grant-Katz C. Marguerite Hurley James H. Ashida Donald S. Brown Millard S. Cox Betty Morris Facey Thomas P. Gratto Herbert G. Ihrig, Jr. Laurin B. Askew Lawrence M.E. Brown Earl T. Crain James R. Falzone Gordon Gray Robert F. Illing Alfred L. Atherton, Jr. Robert A. Brown Dwight M. Cramer Thomas M. Farley M. Elizabeth Gray JohnJ. Ingersoll Marshall F. Atkins James D. Browning David L. Crandall Robert J. Featherstone Charles B. Green Frederic B. Irvin Anne P. Backus Stephen W. Buck Maurine Crane Edward Feehan H. E. Green Ann L. Irvine P. Backus Doreen Burden John Hugh Crimmins Oldrich Fejfar Marshall Green Arnold Isaacs John E. Bagnal Philip M. Burnett Kennedy M. Crockett Harvey Feldman Christa U. Griffin Richard L. Jackson Jane W. Bain Findley Burns Charles T. Cross Arthur M. Fell John C. Griffith J. Roland Jacobs Gregg R. Baker Alanson G. Burt Bette & Michael Cruit C. Richard Fenger CarlJ. Grip Susan Jacobs James E. Baker Frank P. Butler Virginia I. Cullen Gregory G. Fergin Kathryn J. Groot Doris A. James John A. Baker Wayne J. Butler John M. Curry Judith R. Fergin Thompson Grunwald Kenneth Jarnet Charles R. Bakey, Jr. Samuel H. Butterfield Dan Cushman Jack E. Ferguson Margaret L. Guise Arch K. Jean Webster Ballance James G. Byington Leo G. Cyr Russell Fessenden Helen Gunther Walter E. Jenkins, Jr. Irene M. Barbeau William H. Byrd Antoinette J. Daggett Elizabeth F. Figura James R. Gustin Paul Y. Jhin Grace Barcroft Patricia M. Byme Matthew P. Daley Blyth Foote Finke Leona M. Haase Lucy N. Johansen Robert F. Barnes Harry Cahill James J. Dalton Charles E. Finn Betty Arm Hagander Dwight B. Johnson Elizabeth Barnett Richard A. Calfee Lois Daris Dean H. Finney Charlie Hageman Judy&Steve3 Johnson Martha Barnhill John A. Calhoun John R. David Richard V. Fischer Zachary M. Hahn Kathy A. Johnson William Barnsdale Michael Calingaert Paula J. David Robert L. Flanegin James H. Hall Robert S. Johnson Lucius Battle Howard W. Calkins Donald M. Davies Terence Flannery Winifred T. Hall Sandor A. Johnson Niels C. Beck Jennie M. Callahan Richard T. Davies Jack M. Fleischer Elinor Halle U. Alexis Johnson John P. Becker Kenneth W. Calloway GuyJ. Davis Maurice E. Fleming Michael L Hancock Betty-Jane Jones Robert W. Beckham Lucy Calloway Helen Winkler Davis John E. Fochs Olive Hanscom Frances T. Jones W. Elizabeth Beers Martha Campbell Nathaniel Davis Ruth L. Fonfrias Robert R. Hansen Wesley Jones

AFSA 1992 TAX GUIDE • 9 10- AFSA AFSA standing committee has taken on housing smaller and unattractive com¬ AFSA opens issues affecting USIA’s mission. The pared to other countries missions and US IA office committee has called for USIA to have private business.” the lead role in U.S. government dem¬ Now that AFSA has won the elec¬ by Lauren Hale ocratic initiatives and its own budget tion, it can discuss issues such as these, USLA Representative for democracy-building programs. both professional and bread-and-but- AFSA has opened a new office in AFSA is also on record opposing con¬ ter, with management. room 368 of USLA’s main building. tinued funding for TV Marti and firmly Deborah Leahy, who has three years Also in December, Bruce Wharton supporting the Voice of America. and Janet Hedrick organized an AFSA experience with AFSA Member Ser¬ Turning to more traditional union lunch for the new class of USIA For¬ vices and is an expert on grievances, will run the office at USLA Greg Lag- issues, Hensgen then addressed the in¬ eign Service generalists. Caroline Meirs creasing difficulty of life overseas. ana is leading negotiations with USIA Osterling discussed housing issues “Our Foreign Service people find management for the framework agree¬ with the group. Other standing com¬ ment, which outlines the ground rules themselves working longer hours with mittee members briefed them on pro¬ and arrangements of the AFSA/USIA smaller staffs, their operations budgets fessional issues. It was the first such relationship. and ability to work effectively cut, their lunch AFSA had given as the official AFSA’s new official status at USIA spouses unable to find work, their union of the USIA Foreign Service. enabled AFSA President Bill Kirby and members of the AFSA standing com¬ mittee to meet in December with rep¬ resentatives of the USIA transition team. The group discussed USIA’s role in overseas missions and in the Wash¬ ington foreign affairs community, AFSA’s view that political appointees should have foreign affairs experience, the need to reverse the decline in po¬ sitions and resources overseas, and USIA’s role in democracy building and international broadcasting. USIA’s election victory party was held December 15 at the Capital Holi¬ day Inn following certification of the election results. USIA Vice President Bud Hensgen told AFSA members, supporters, and agency officials that the election campaign had brought about “an awakening among many of USLA’s Foreign Service people that, through organization and work, we can and must have an impact on the structure and programs of USIA and on Top: Secretary Lawrence Eagleburger accepts letter certifying him as a foreign the course of America’s public diplo¬ affairs reservist from Director General Genta Hawkins Holmes as AFSA President macy.” Bill Kirby and Retiree Vice President Charles Schmitz look on. Bottom: Scenes He reviewed the positions the USIA from the ceremony in the secretary’s office. (See story on page 2.) Photos by Tina

FEBRUARY 1993 • AFSA NEWS • 1 In November, retired ambassador AFSA negotiates Florace Dawson addressed a sympo¬ Reserve Corps concessions sium on South Africa in Durham, North inaugu rated AFSA has obtained two important Carolina, followed by talks about For¬ On January 11, Secretary of State eign Service careers with students at concessions from management with Lawrence Eagleburger, with AFSA several historically black colleges in respect to property management reg¬ President Bill Kirby and Retiree Vice North and South Carolina. Ambassador ulations (6FAM220). First, the regula¬ President Charles Schmitz looking on, Dawson is president of the Association tions governing the use and control of accepted a letter from Director General of Black American Ambassadors, with official vehicles have been exten¬ Genta Hawkins Holmes certifying him which AFSA coordinates its minority- sively revised. As proposed, they could as a foreign affairs reservist. Long a sup¬ recruitment efforts. have been interpreted as not permit¬ porter of AFSA’s efforts to establish a ting any duty personnel other than on- While the preponderance of those Foreign Affairs Reserve Corps, who have signed up for the Speakers call communicators and security Eagleburger had said that he wanted to Bureau are Foreign Service alumni, a officers to use official transport outside see the corps established before he left number of active-duty AFSA members normal duty hours. The revised regu¬ office, and he was clearly pleased to have also volunteered. In December, lations make clear that, with written participate in its ceremonial inaugura¬ FSO Michael Homblow, currently approval from the chief of mission, all tion by becoming one of its first mem¬ DCM in Warsaw, gave several days of on-call duty personnel will be able to bers. President Kirby thanked the his home leave to speak to college stu¬ utilize official transport if local condi¬ secretary on behalf of AFSA for the co¬ dents and local journalists in his wife’s tions require it. operation between the association and home town of Galesburg, Illinois; to Second, restrictions on purchasing the department, which led to the cre¬ the Kiwanis Club of Kitty Hawk, North items in property sales will now only ation of the corps. He pointed out that be placed on those individuals who Carolina; and the World Affairs Coun¬ the corps is important both to the de¬ cil of Norfolk, Virginia. initiate, authorize, or directly control partment and to retirees. the sale of U.S. property (i.e., property We are indebted to all the AFSA Following the presentation, the di¬ members who have contributed their management officers, accountable rector general told assembled AFSA time and talents to getting the Speakers property officers, property disposal of¬ board and retiree committee members Bureau off to such a strong start. In ficers and those who are responsible that she has set out to “institutionalize early 1993, AFSA speakers are sched¬ for designating items for sale). Origi¬ things which make sense” in the de¬ uled to address audiences in 25 cities. nally, the rules as proposed could have partment, and the corps is one of those. Many of our alumni are already prohibited all members of the Admin¬ Chuck Schmitz called the Reserve doing a great deal of speaking on their istrative Section (particularly at small Corps a highly efficient way for Amer¬ own to World Affairs Councils and posts) from purchasing items in prop¬ ican diplomacy to repond as effectively other community groups all around erty sales. as the military in time of crisis and a the country. The Speakers Bureau “golden opportunity” for those who would benefit greatly from knowing of Speakers Bureau have graduated from their Foreign Ser¬ off to strong start such engagements so that we could vice careers to continue their commit¬ “piggyback” additional programs on ment to public service. by Gilbert D. Kulick AFSA’s behalf in the same regions. If AFSA’s commitment to seeing the Outreach Director you are planning such appearances Reserve Corps expanded to other for¬ In the Speakers Bureau’s first three and are willing to add a program or eign affairs agencies was underscored months of operation, AFSA speakers two on AFSA’s behalf, please contact by the presence of AFSA’s USLA. and addressed more than two dozen audi¬ AFSA’s Speakers Bureau. We will take USAID vice presidents and committee ences from Boston to Phoenix and Mil¬ it from there. members at the ceremony marking the waukee to Orlando. Some speakers launching of the corps. spoke to single events only, while oth¬ ers went on extended speaking tours. New dues structure for AFSA membership A number of our speakers ad¬ dressed commemorations of United Grade Dues Bi weekly allotment Nations Day. Retired Ambassador FE-CA, FE-CM, FE-MC, FE-OC $188 $7.25 Richard Petree gave the keynote ad¬ FS-1, FS-2, FS-3 $165 $6.35 dress at the official Arizona state cele¬ FS-4, FS-5, FS-6 $125 $4.80 bration of UN Day in Phoenix on FS-7, FS-8, FS-9 $85 $3.25 October 23. On the same five-day tour Retired members he spoke on UN-related issues and Annuity over $35k $62 about Japan to World Affairs Council Annuity between $25k-35k $55 and university audiences in St. Louis Annuity under $25k $45 and Lincoln, Nebraska. Life Membership for retirees: $1,000; for active members: $1,500. Associate Members: $50.

2 • AFSA NEWS*FEBRUARY 1993 Scholarships AFSA’s 1993 Disability honor groups Retiree Directory insurance adds by Michael Dailey benefits Coordinator for Scholarships AFSA’s 1993 Retiree Directory The AFSA disability plan now offers AFSA has been awarding named (provided free to retired members) up to $1,500 in monthly benefits with scholarships, recognizing people in is now available to others who wish easy acceptance. This low-cost plan is the Foreign Service community, for the to stay in contact with their retired one of the many benefits available last 60 years through the AFSA Schol¬ colleagues. The directory costs through AFSA membership. arship Programs. $7.50, including postage and han¬ All AFSA members and/or their Beginning in 1968, AFSA estab¬ dling. To obtain a copy, send a spouses may apply with simplified ac¬ lished three named scholarships hon¬ check to: Directory, AFSA, 2101 E oring those who died while in the Street N.W., Washington, DC 20037. ceptance procedures if they are under age 60, have been actively working service of their country: the Vietnam "Use of the directory for commercial full-time (at least 30 hours per week) Memorial Scholarship, the Adolph purposes is strictly prohibited. for the past 90 days, and have not been Dubs Memorial Scholarship, and the AFSA’s Adolph Dubs Memorial hospitalized in the past six months. Beirut Memorial Scholarship. Scholarship is given to those students Those insured will receive a The Vietnam Memorial Scholarship whose Foreign Service parent served monthly benefit of $1,500 for up to was established in 1968 to honor civil¬ under conditions of unusual danger ian employees of the U.S. government five years when disabled by a covered with preference given to those who accident and up to one full year when who lost their lives in Vietnam and is have had a family assignment to either given to students whose Foreign Ser¬ disabled by a covered illness. Pay¬ Afghanistan or Iran. ments start on the 31st day of disability vice parent served in Vietnam. The Beirut Memorial Scholarship The second of these AFSA scholar¬ to tie in with any sick leave pay that was established to honor the memory might be received from an employer. ships, the Adolph Dubs Extraordinary of those Americans who died in the This coverage pays benefits over Service Memorial Scholarship, honors Beirut Embassy bombing of 1983. This Ambassador Dubs, who was killed by and above those from any other insur¬ scholarship is given to those students ance, including Social Security, terrorists in Afghanistan in 1979. In the whose Foreign Service family experi¬ Workers’ Compensation, Federal Em¬ same year, the American Embassy in enced hardship as a result of the Beirut Tehran was stormed, leading to the Ir¬ ployees Health Benefits Plan, and any Embassy bombing or a similar tragedy. other group plans. If for any reason an anian hostage crisis. AFSA decided One way of showing appreciation that the Dubs Memorial Scholarship insured person is not completely sat¬ for these families is by making a con¬ should include recognition of those isfied with the policy, it may be re¬ tribution to the Scholarship Fund, des¬ who were held captive in Tehran for turned within 30 days for a complete ignating that the gift be used toward 444 days. This scholarship therefore refund. one of these memorial scholarships. honors the memory of all those who The AFSA Group Disability Income When sending a donation, please Plan is extremely economical, due to have performed extraordinary service specify if you wish your contribution and suffered hardships in performing the mass purchasing power of the to be added to a named scholarship. their Foreign Service duties. AFSA membership. And, according to IRS ruling, all benefits are totally free from taxation. briefs The special guaranteed acceptance news offer will end June 1, 1993 so act Shipping Survey: New packing and shipping procedures devised by the promptly when you receive informa¬ department went into effect on November 1, 1992. The department has as¬ tion on this plan. sured AFSA that the new procedures will be indistinguishable from the old, For more information on the AFSA except that more than one shipping company is likely to be involved in a move. Group Disability Income Plan, please AFSA has devised a questionnaire to be filled out by all recent arrivals at posts contact the Insurance Administrator: in the 19 countries for which the International Through Government Bill of Albert H. Wohlers & Co., AFSA Group Lading (ITGBL) system is under trial. If you have arrived at such a post since Insurance Plans, 1440 N. Northwest November 1, 1992 and have not had the opportunity to complete a question¬ Highway, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068- naire, please obtain one from your AFSA representative or administrative of¬ 1400. Or call 1-800-323-2106. ficer, or contact AFSA’s Member Services Department at (202) 647-8160. Member Services Changes: Deborah Leahy, of AFSA’s Member Services Office, is opening the AFSA office at USLA. Deborah will continue to provide advice on tax concerns, as well as on a range of other matters. AFSA’s Labor Management Office in the State Department welcomes Derek Terrell, who has joined us as a member services representative and grievance counselor, after working for AFSA for two years in others capacities.

FEBRUARY 1993 ■ AFSA NEWS • 3 E L E C T I O N S • 1 9 9 3

1993 Election of AFSA Officers & Constituency Representatives This election call, issued in accordance with Article order to be a candidate. YII(2)(a) of the AFSA bylaws, constitutes a formal notice to all AFSA members of the opportunity to participate in 3. Management officials and confidential employees nomination and election of a new governing board. All of cannot be nominated for positions on the governing board, the officer and representative positions listed below are for nor may they make or support nominations or serve on two-year terms beginning July 15, 1993. nominating committees.

A. Positions to be filled 4. Nominations may be submitted individually or in 1. The officer positions to be filled in this election are: slates. Slate designations will be noted on the ballot. • President • Vice President for State 5. All nominations must be submitted in writing or by • Vice President for USAID. cable. All written nominations must be addressed to the • Vice President for USLA AFSA Elections Committee, RO. Box 42668, Washington, • Vice President for Retirees DC 20015. To be valid, they must, without exception, be • Secretary received at this address no later than 12 noon on March 5, • Treasurer 1993- Members overseas can send "AFSA channel" cables marked for delivery to the AFSA Elections Committee. They 2. The constituency representative positions to be filled must be received in the department’s Communications in this election are: Center within the same time limit. Alternatively, nomina¬ • State Department representatives (five positions) tions can be hand-delivered to a committee member who • USAID representatives (two positions) will be in the AFSA office, Room 3644, Department of State, • USLA representative (one position) from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on March 5. • Commerce representative (one position) • Agriculture representative (one position) 6. A nominee can indicate his or her acceptance of a • Retired member representatives (four positions) nomination by appending a letter to the letter of nomina¬ tion or by appropriate notation on that letter. Otherwise, Article V(4) of the AFSA bylaws authorizes a constitu¬ an authorized representative of the Elections Committee ency vice president for each constituency with a minimum will communicate with each nominee (including members of 100 members and one constituency representative po¬ who nominate themselves) as quickly as possible after the sition for every 1,000 members or fraction thereof. The cal¬ receipt of each nomination to determine whether the nom¬ culation of the number of constituency vice president and inee wishes to be a candidate. Any member who so accepts representative positions to be filled in this election is based the nomination must confirm his or her acceptance in writ¬ upon the membership rolls as of December 31, 1992. ing, with this confirmation addressed to the AFSA Elections Committee at the above address, to be received no later B. Nomination procedures than 12 noon on March 12, 1993. Members overseas can 1. Any AFSA member in good standing (i.e., a member send an "AFSA channel" message accepting nomination, whose dues are automatically deducted or who has paid which must be received in the Department’s Communica¬ dues through February 1993) may submit names (including tions Center within the same time limit. Any nominee his or her own name) in nomination for any or all of the whose written acceptance of nomination has not been re¬ above-mentioned positions for which the nominee is eli¬ ceived by the Elections Committee by the above time limit gible. No member may nominate more than one person will be considered to have declined candidacy. for each officer position or more than the number of rep¬ resentatives established for each constituency. No C. Election campaign member’s name may appear on the ballot for more than 1. All candidates nominated under the procedure out¬ one position. lined above will be given the opportunity to submit brief biographies and campaign statements for dissemination to 2. In order to be nominated, a person must likewise be the AFSA membership in the May issue of the Foreign Ser¬ a member in good standing. (The bylaws require that a vice Journal in "AFSA News." Further information regard¬ "candidate" be a member through June 1993.) If a member ing such statements and Foreign Service Journal editorial is nominated who is not on automatic dues deduction and deadlines will be contained in the "Instructions to Candi¬ has paid dues through February 28, 1993 but has not paid dates," which will be issued by the Elections Committee through June 30, 1993, that member will be contacted and on or before March 5, 1993. advised that he or she must pay dues through June 30 in

4 • AFSA NEWS-FEBRUARY 1993 ELECTIONS *1 993

2. The AFSA bylaws provide that, should candidates E. Vote counting & results announcement wish to mail supplementary statements to the membership, On or about July 1, 1993, the Elections Committee will the association will make available to them on request, and count the ballots and declare elected the candidate receiv¬ at their expense, the membership mailing list or address ing the greatest number of votes for each position. Candi¬ labels. Further details on this and such other services as dates or their representatives may be present during the the Elections Committee may be able to provide candidates tally and may challenge the validity of any vote or the el¬ will be included in the "Instructions to Candidates." igibility of any voter. The committee will inform candidates individually of the elections results by the swiftest possible D. Voting means and will publish the names of all elected candidates Ballots will be distributed on or about May 15, 1993 to in the next issue of the Foreign Service Journal. The elected each person who is an AFSA member as of April 30, 1993. candidates will take office on July 15, 1993, as provided in Candidates or their observers may observe the ballot dis¬ the bylaws. tribution process if they so desire. Each member may cast one vote for President, Secretary, Treasurer, and constitu¬ F. Questions, suggestions, or complaints ency Vice President if the member’s constituency has one At any time following the publication of this election call and, in addition, one vote for each representative position through September 15, 1993, any member may file a writ¬ in the member’s constituency. Votes may be cast by voting ten question, suggestion, or complaint concerning the con¬ for candidates listed on the official ballot, or by writing in duct of the 1993 election. Such question, suggestion, or the name(s) of member(s) eligible as of June 30, 1993, or complaint should be addressed to the AFSA Elections Com¬ by doing both. To be valid, a ballot must be received by mittee, P.O. Box 42668, Washington, DC 20015. the Elections Committee no later than 12 noon Friday, June 30, 1993 at the address indicated on the envelope accom¬ panying the ballot. More detailed balloting instructions will accompany the ballots.

1992 Legislative Action Fund Contributors (con’t) MCG Burt Behrens Charles A. Cariddi Richard S. Dawson, Jr. Barkley Ford Helen E. Beko Jack M. Carle Robert W. Day William J. Ford FINANCIAL Marianne C. Bel C. Carpenter-Yaman Ceslie Dean William N. Fraleigh Leila S. Belaval Charles C. Carson Rose Marie Deep E. D. Frankhouser PLANNING Genevieve Scott Bell Annie M. Carter Alice Dekang W. H. Frayne Igor N. Belousovitch James W. Carter Velia DePirro Loretta Freedman Former State Department William Belton Helen E. Cartmill James A. Derrick Fulton Freeman Robert A. Benedict Elizabeth Carver Angela Dickey George Freimarck Employee Stationed Overseas Helen Bertot Hubert E. Carver Colette Dickey Richard B. Freund Understands Unique Financial Gordon Beyer Anne Cary Richard F. Dienelt Carl R. Fritz Situation of Foreign Service Paul A. Bialecki Amy Holman Casey John R. Diggins Julian P. Fromer Peter P. Bielak John M. Cates, Jr. Arthur V. Diggle Margaret H. Fulton Marie E. Bierau John Caulfield JohnT. Dougherty Suzanne J. Fuss Services Include: Vernon E. Bishop Philip Chadbourn, Jr. Stephen Dobrenchuk Gerald G.Jones Retirement Planning James J. Blake Robert Chamberlain Buddy K. Dodson William R. Gaines Tax Preparation and Strategies Robert O. Blake, Jr. Stephen M. Champlin Richard H. Donald Fred Galanto Slator Black iston, Jr. James B. Chandler Mary E. Donovan Pirie M. Gall Analysis: Insurance and William D. Blair, Jr. Robert C. Chase Arthur R. Dornheim Michael Galli Investments John Blane James R. Cheek Leon G. Dorros Thomas Gallo Lump Sum Retirement Options Robert R. Bliss Mark & Martha Cheng William Douglas Daniel Garcia V. H. Blocker Timothy W. Childs Morris Draper Frank V. Gardner Peter Bloom Fanny S. Chipman Margaret Clark Dray David J. Garms MARY CORNELIA GINN Richard J. Bloomfield Alvin K. Chock Richard Driscoll Cornelia E. Garniss 4550 Montgomery Avenue Evelyn Blue William Christensen Chloe Z. Duckett Carmela E. C. Garufi William Bodde, Jr. Charles C. Christian R. W. Duemling Jose Garzon Suite 442N Leslie M. Boggs Bruce Christopherson Edwin M. Duerbeck Julia De M. Gatewood Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Richard W. Bogosian Joy Churchill Jolke Y. Duffield Coradino Ernest Gatti (301) 961-8500 Deborah Bolton Albert J. Ciaffone Dorothy J. Dugan Ellen Gavrisheff Richard T. Booth Barbara N. Cicerelle Gilda R. Duly F. Louise Geigan Fax: (703) 938-2278

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v r continued from page 28 a fellow revolutionary. Unconvinced, he was persuaded to for them. On November 13, 1977, he denounced the meet with Mengistu, “the Abyssinian wolf in sheep’s Soviet-Somali Friendship Treaty, expelled the Russian clothing,” as he told the Russians at Aden on March 17, military and most of the embassy, and broke relations with 1977. Fidel Castro chaired the meeting and told Siad Cuba. The Soviet Union quickly mounted a massive air and socialist solidarity must prevail over the cause of national sea lift to rescue Ethiopia and brought in the arms and liberation. Siad gloomily agreed in principle and no more. Russian advisers Mengistu needed to restore his southern The farce was over. No one had asked who the real front. For all practical purposes, the war was over, al¬ imposter was. though the shattered Somali troops wouldn’t fully with¬ draw from Ethiopia until the following spring. Switching patrons Even then, no American military aid was given Somalia. Siad put out feelers to Washington, London, and Paris Despite Siad's pleas and his repeated warnings of an asking the West to consider helping Somalia meet its imminent Soviet-supported Ethiopian invasion, none would “defensive needs.” All follow during the remaining years of the Carter Adminis¬ agreed, but, like Presi¬ tration. The U.S. military aid finally given to Somalia during The U.S. military aid finally dent Carter, only in prin¬ the 1980s was modest and limited. From 1980-88, only 30 ciple and no more, yet percent or $6.4 million annually included light defensive given to Somalia during Siad was persuaded he weaponry. Somalia received about $1.8 billion in multilat¬ the 1980s was modest had the card to play in eral and U.S. bilateral aid alone in the 1980s—but that’s not forcing Moscow to with¬ what we now remember. and limited. From 1980-88, hold military support for only 30 percent or $6.4 Ethiopia or, if Moscow Rebels in defeat refused, to bring on The 1977-78 Ogaden defeat effectively smashed the million annually included Mengistu’s collapse be¬ clan coalition Siad had successfully presided over for eight light defensive weaponry. fore massive Soviet mili¬ years and brought on the fragmentation that followed. tary intervention could There were few Somali dans or sub-clans that didn’t save him. If the Soviets participate in the early Ogaden successes, few Somalis opted out of Somalia, he might retain his Ogaden victory who didn’t rejoice in them. Somalis in victory, they’d with Western arms and political support; if not, a political become rebels in defeat, first the rebellious Mijertain settlement might be negotiated under Moscow’s auspices. dissidents of the Somali Salvation Front (SSF) who were Already clandestinely supporting two liberation fronts of soon joined by an aroused Somali National Movement 8,000 to 12,000 men in the Ogaden, on July 21, 1977 he (SMN), created by northern Isaaqs in London in 1961 but secretly infiltrated his army into Ethiopia under the Na¬ largely quiescent until then. In 1981 the Somali Salvation tional Liberation Front banner. Within days he’d overrun Democratic Front was formed. By 1989 the Hawiya clan the Ogaden. surrounding Mogadishu, inactive but restive, joined in the The deception was short-lived. On July 23, three days civil disorder. Siad met the rebels with greater and greater after the U.S. decision to give Somalia defensive arms was repression, earning the despotic reputation he’ll now carry made public, National Security Agency intercepts of So¬ to the grave. That wasn’t quite the view of the Somali man- mali Army radio transmissions suggested Somali regular in-the-street in August and September of 1977. army units were now in the Ogaden. By August 18, the Who’s responsible? Was Siad a creation of the Cold War presence was confirmed; Under Secretary Philip Habib or its victim? Was Somalia? History is more ambiguous, and told the Somali ambassador defensive military aid was out perhaps it’s enough to say we were all its victims. In the of the question. With the Ethiopian Army in retreat and meantime Somalia remains Somalia, as tireless as ever in Siad still refusing to admit to the presence of Somali Army blaming others for its abject condition. units in Ethiopia, on August 28 he flew to Moscow to The United States may have a humanitarian responsibil¬ present his case to the Russians. He failed. During the two ity to aid the Somali people but not because it brought following days he was told repeatedly by Gromyko, Somalia to its recent condition or because Siad was its Kosygin, and Suslov to remove his troops from Ethiopia. creation. The next door neighbors, of course, peeping out By September Somali Army units had overrun 97 uneasily from behind the old colonial borders, would say percent of the Ogaden but could go no further: Cuban he was just another troublemaking Somali. ■ maneuver troops had reinforced the Ethiopian garrisons. Siad procrastinated and so did the Russians, still maintain¬ S.J. Hamrick served twice in Somalia in the 1970s as ing their military presence in Somalia. Daring in promise deputy chief of mission and charge d’affaires. His novel but clumsily conservative in action, the Soviets weren’t yet about Somalia and Ethiopia is entitled The Lion and the certain whether to gamble their assets in Somalia for an Jackal His latest novel, to be published by Henry Holt in uncertain future in a disintegrating Ethiopia. Siad decided Autumn as W.T. Tyler, is entitled Last Train from Berlin.

32 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 Seeking a Solution

BY JONATHAN STEVENSON

y sponsoring a series of meetings, U.S. Special course that Somalis had been unable to achieve for the 23 years B Representative Robert Oakley has brought to¬ since Mohammed Siad Barre took power. During his tenure, the gether the two rivals—Ali Mahdi Mohammed and secret police suppressed all interaction between clans that com¬ General Mohammed Farah Aideed—who divided peted with Siad Barre’s. Although Aideed drove Siad Barre from the Mogadishu into northern and southern halves country over a year ago, his friendly meetings with Ali Mahdi are and destroyed the city’s infrastructure in the perhaps the first sign that rule by Barre’s political successors could process. Each man still claims leadership of the United Somali be different. And Oakley’s efforts have had some palpable conse¬ Congress, but they have reached a seven-point agreement under quences—Aideed and Ali Mahdi have impounded some of the which they promise gradually to demilitarize and reunify the capital. “technicals” (gun-mounted vehicles) in isolated areas of Mogadishu, Oakley sees the American role as one of strict neutrality. Oakley where they will be watched by coalition forces. will facilitate and cajole but refuses to function as a “negotiator, These results certainly do bode well for the political reconciliation arbiter, or enforcer.” Imposing an overarching political structure on of the dozen or so viable Somali political groups, which met in Addis the Somalis, he says, “won’t work. It would take a very brave and Ababa on January 4 under UN auspices and scheduled a national foolish man to predict what the final political structure of Somalia will reconciliation meeting for March 15. But Oakley is quick to point out be. The clan structure is almost impossible for a foreigner to that whatever diplomatic advances he has made are simply “ancillary understand." benefits” of his efforts to support the humanitarian relief effort of Clans are the main organizing units of Somali society, claiming a Operation Restore Hope. For example, he is encouraging Somali higher allegiance than either nation or religion. They consist of vast political leaders to reconstitute a national police force. His principal genealogical networks that supposedly originated from single patri¬ objective is to get the Somalis involved in helping the American and archs generations ago. With succeeding gen¬ coalition forces to create a stable and secure erations, branches or subclans developed. By Oakley sees the effort to gain relief environment—the mission of Operation tradition, the clans competed for some central preferential treatment by the Restore Hope. The secondary aim is to ease stake—grazing land or livestock—and through the transfer of control from the primarily Ameri¬ contained skirmishes reached territorial and United States, rather than can “peacekeeping” force and later from UN material equilibrium. Siad Barre distorted the dialogue with other Somalis, as control to Somali authorities. If a resurrected rough balance of power by economically and police force ultimately leads to a new civil politically favoring his own clan. After years of the prime obstructor of political government, says Oakley, “that’s fine, but it is oppression, the other clans and subclans re¬ progress in Somalia. a Somali phenomenon we are not trying to belled and stayed united long enough to oust determine.” The outright promotion of democ¬ Siad Barre. Then, instead of simply returning to theirterritories, they racy in Somalia, he contends, "would be premature.” started to vie for Siad Barre's power base. They haven't stopped. The Addis conference produced little substance; the strongest According to one prominent Somali businessman, "Siad Barre still evidence is in Kismayu, Somalia's dangerous southern port. On controls the psychology of this country. All of the clans want what his December 20, a U.S. diplomatic source indicated that the impending clan had.” American and Belgian landing in Kismayu had been discussed and Most Somalis in positions of power still cannot accept the idea cleared with the local strongman, Colonel Omar Jess, a loose ally of of a clan-neutral, egalitarian polity, and they look to the United States Aideed’s. The source said that Jess was “shrewd enough to for partisan support. Oakley suggests that Aideed and Ali Mahdi are cooperate demonstratively,” and that “Colonel Jess is on his best trying to win his favor and the backing of the United States. (Aideed behavior. Let's hope it continues.” The landing did go smoothly, but himself apparently circulated a rumor that President Bush came to it became apparent that Jess probably had ordered the mass Somalia to discuss plans for the formation of a provisional govern¬ execution of up to 200 men from an opposing clan because they had ment headed by Aideed.) Oakley discourages these attitudes. “It is been agitating against the USC. The political group Jess had targeted a misimpression," he says, “that the United States would support a was the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, which controls the reunified USC against all other political factions.” Oakley sees the northeast portion of the country and wields more power than any effort to gain preferential treatment by the United States, rather than faction otherthan Aideed’s. While this act did not amount to spurning dialogue with other Somalis, as the prime obstructor of political U.S. authority, it shows that no outside entity, however powerful or progress in Somalia. “I’m sure many Somalis will be letdown [by the prestigious, can tame Somali vindictiveness. Only Somalis can. U.S. diplomatic activities], particularly those who believe that using “We’re encouraging them to solve their bloody disputes,” says Somali tactics will get us on their side,’’ he says. Oakley. His dilemma is that Colonel Jess thinks that’s exactly what Given the Somalis’ Byzantine social structure and traditions of he’s doing. ■ vengefulness, in Oakley’s view, his merely hosting discussions between factional leaders constitutes an advance in political dis¬ Jonathan Stevenson is a freelance journalist based in .

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 33 How the ambassador s

BY ALENE H. G ELBAR D

34 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 wife can have a life, too

This comment, made about all spouses have reaped the benefits of this change in me three years ago, was attitudes: the wives of senior officials are implicitly ex¬ The meant as a compliment. pected to assume supportive responsibilities that make it To me, though, it was a sad difficult to find the time, if not the independence, to commentary on the role pursue other interests. and image of an I was an ambassador’s wife for three years; I have been ambassador's ambassador’s wife. a Foreign Service spouse for nearly 25 years. Throughout As the debate about that time, I have pursued an interesting and rewarding Hillary Clinton illustrates, career as a demographer and enjoyed relative indepen¬ Americans are still ambiva¬ dence in the process. In fact, I developed an interest in lent about whether the wife demography as a result of being a Foreign Service spouse. wife in Bolivia of a highly visible public I knew it would be challenging to continue pursuing my official can or should pur¬ professional interests while accompanying my ambassa¬ sue interests unconnected dor-husband overseas, but I did not anticipate how difficult to her husband’s role. Some it would be. I did not fully anticipate the loss of identity that works, hut she even question whether came with being “the wife of,” the loss of control over my high standards will be ap¬ own time and independence, the pressure to carry out plied to the wife of a promi¬ traditional functions associated with the position, and the nent man who chooses to confusion surrounding the role. work. Women are ex¬ knows what pected to be supportive ‘Nebulous in character’ partners first and foremost, There is still confusion about the role of spouses of and so outside activities senior officials in the Foreign Sendee, and their image is are viewed with suspicion. often more negative than positive. When someone is she siloing.' (Many husbands of women nominated ambassador in our diplomatic service, the in high-profile positions ex¬ spouse is given a notebook that includes a definition of the perience the same prob¬ “senior spouse” role: “The role of the senior spouse exists, lems, but the men are not generally expected also to take despite the fact that it is not recognized officially. . . The on the supporting role.) problem with defining the role is that it is nebulous in During the last 20 years, the Foreign Service has character and depends greatly upon many qualifying increasingly supported spouses who want to work, in factors: the ambassador’s particular ‘style’ at post and large part due to the 1972 directive that declared wives to attitude toward his spouse’s role, the spouse’s own sense be, in the government’s eyes, independent beings. But not of responsibility toward the Foreign Service as well as to

▼AVATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATA

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 35 her husband, the spouse’s personal¬ stay of three and a half years as the representing a country abroad—im¬ ity, the size of post and attendant wife of America’s ambassador to the plies trying to understand individuals requirements of the community, the People’s Republic, had become all too of another culture. It requires effec¬ attitudes of host-country nationals much like China, full of contradictions. tive communication skills. toward the senior spouse, and the I worked and I did not work. I had I wanted to use my career as a attitudes of other spouses at post changed and I was the same. I had mechanism for cariying out my role, toward the senior spouse.” Further on scores of good friends and none at all. because I'm better at it than I am at in the description of the role, we have I was celebrated and I was suspect. I many of the traditional things ex¬ the following: . . it is, above all, a was an equal partner and not even on pected of ambassadors’ wives. Also, 1 role model position. The ambassador’s the team. I was an insider and an believe it is as legitimate to interact spouse has the stamp of America outsider. I was at home and I was with the host-country citizens through clearly imprinted upon her. . . . exiled. I had never been happier, nor one’s professional interests as it is Younger spouses automatically look had I been as sad.” Another U.S. through more traditional mechanisms. to her as the symbol of American ambassador’s wife, Vivian Gillespie, It was difficult at the beginning to women, the one who defines their wrote shortly after arriving at her new convince people that I was a serious behavior abroad.” post: “My life for now is constantly professional. Some wondered why I Thus, the job exists, but we don't being there and reacting. With no job wanted to “work” (as if being really know what it is. Further, while description, no office colleagues, no ambassador’s wife isn’t work). i heard it is supposed to be a leadership role, real power but lots of responsibilities, indirectly that others thought it inap¬ we are advised that it is defined by I’m not in my most favorite atmosphere.” propriate. One well-meaning col¬ other peoples’ attitudes—those of the league advised me to tell people that ambassador, foreign nationals, and Espousing work I was working because 1 wanted to the embassy spouses. I have tried to come up with a help the country. I certainly hope my It was comforting to know I wasn’t simpler definition for the role of an efforts to address maternal and child the only one to find the role confusing ambassador’s wife. To me, it is to health problems did indeed help the and difficult. In her superb book on represent one’s country as well as one country, but I do not see what is China entitled Legacies: A Chinese Mo¬ can and foster effective relationships wrong with wanting to “work" if it saic, Bette Bao Lord writes: “. . . I was with the host country. This defini¬ puts you in contact with people from ready to leave Beijing. My life, after a tion—which really applies to anyone the country in which you are living.

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36 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 Nameless woes Diets between my official position and I was, and still am, enormously my professional one, I was also a proud of my husband and proud to be mother. At the beginning of our stay married to him, just as I am proud of in Bolivia, we went to everything in being my daughter’s mother. But it is an attempt to get to know people and not enough to define myself solely hen I lived in have them get to know us. Our daugh¬ through these relationships. When I Wk ter, who was seven at the time, got lived in the United States, I was re¬ the United States, I was re¬ only what time was left over. I felt ferred to as Alene Gelbard. After I guilty, yet I also felt guilty for not arrived in Bolivia, I was called either ferred to as Alene Gelbard. responding to demands from others Mrs. Gelbard, Mrs. Ambassador, or After I arrived in Bolivia, I was for my time. I finally decided that my (my personal favorite) Mrs. Wife of daughter and I had to have a fixed the Ambassador of the United States. called either Mrs. Gelbard, Mrs. time together that she could count on. I went to countless parties where no Ambassador, or (my personal In addition, all three of us agreed to one knew or repeated my first name. set aside one night a week just for us. These titles are appropriate and go favorite) Mrs. Wife of the We were fairly successful in guarding with the position, but it was discon¬ our time (we needed it as much as our certing to experience such an abrupt Ambassador of the United daughter did). When there was a change in identity. States. I went to countless potential scheduling conflict I found We each have multiple identities it useful to ask myself which would related to our roles. Women seem to parties where no one knew or matter more in 20 years: our daughter have more of them than men; perhaps or the diplomatic event. it is just that we feel a stronger respon¬ repeated my first name. sibility for each role than do men. This Do it yourself makes it harder for us to have a clear The sometimes negative image of idea of who we really are. In my case, an ambassador’s wife reflects a broader in addition to trying to reconcile con- problem: wives are often not taken

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FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 37 seriously, and we need to question • We need to network, to let people the extent to which this reflects how know what our interests are, and seriously we take ourselves. A good meet people with similar interests. example of this in Bolivia was the This applies not only to employ¬ issue of spouse employment, or the ment, but to any interests we might lack thereof, within the embassy com¬ want to pursue. munity. Once the spouses organized 1 1 OW back in • We need to speak the local lan¬ themselves and articulated their con¬ Washington, with a job I love guage. Even when working in an cerns, more jobs became available environment where English is pre¬ within the embassy. This reflected an and my identity intact, I con¬ dominant, for example, within the increased awareness on the part of mission or an international organi¬ those embassy staff members resistent sider my experience in Bolivia zation, it is essential to know the to spouse employment (not all were) to have been one of the most local language to do a job well. and increased their understanding of Language-learning broadens op¬ how to address spouse concerns; con¬ extraordinary of my life. Would tions as well. crete suggestions from spouses were • We need to look closely at what instrumental in prompting changes. I do it again? Yes, but I'd skills we need to achieve our own The embassy needed to recognize that rather not do it right away. objectives. We have to shed a men¬ spousal employment was a commu¬ tality of dependency in order for nity not just an individual problem. Here, too, I am not alone. others to respond positively to us. Despite an improvement, it was not After arriving in Bolivia, determined possible to solve the problem for each to pursue my professional interests spouse seeking employment. Neither while in the position of ambassador’s an individual embassy nor the Foreign wife, I studied Spanish, talked to as Service overall will ever be able to many people as possible about my meet all spousal employment needs. interest in working professionally, and We need to take certain steps to help I was persistent. After six months I ourselves: began working part-time. I would

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FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 39 H I 0 Y

The Spragues of Gibraltar: One Post, One Family, One Century

BY HENRY E. MATTOX

merican Foreign Service from their places of assignment, U.S. Consulate, along with his busi¬ A officers routinely expect cashiered Henry for excessive time ness interests. assignments to last for away from his job. It seems that the Sprague proved to be a conscien¬ two, three, or four years consul, who had been in office since tious officer, unlike his predecessor, —in and out, off to an¬ 1815, had resided principally in En¬ although a review of the dispatches he other post, or back to sent over the years suggests Washington. Contrary to this usual prac¬ that the Gibraltar consular tice, however, some officers over the job in those days did not years have had remarkably long tours at often pose onerous de¬ the same foreign post. The renowned mands; his reporting load diplomat Joseph C. Grew, for example, was light. The consul’s usual served close to a decade as ambassador duties included answering to Japan, including six months after questions on shipping and Pearl Harbor, when he was interned seamen, reporting health by the Japanese. Ambassador Walworth quarantines, the occasional Harbour filled his position at Tel Aviv repatriation of a destitute nearly 12 years, from 1961 to early American, and required re¬ 1973- Agnes E. Schneider essentially porting. The post’s semian¬ had but three assignments—Berlin, nual summaries of activities London (briefly), and Paris—in her 40- for 1846, for example, shows year career in consular affairs. Late in that the consulate received the 19th century. Colonel Charles the visits of 48 American- Denby occupied the top U.S. diplo¬ flag ships during the year matic post in China from 1885-98, and took in $450.50 in fees. almost 13 years. Ramon O. Williams served as consul or consul general for Duly impressed 22 years in Havana during the same Exceptional circum¬ era. stances arose on occasion. However, compared with the three In 1837, Consul Sprague had generations of the Sprague family and to deal with an incident in¬ their service at the American consulate Richard L. Sprague, American Consul, Gibraltar volving the impressment of at Gibraltar, such exceptional officers American seamen which as Grew, Barbour, and even Williams gland for the previous five years— arose between the U.S. vessel Grand were short-timers. The year 1932 without bothering to notify the depart¬ Turk, and the British brig Fassur. The marked the centenary of the Sprague ment of this circumstance. Ex-Consul next year, circumstances obliged family’s service as American consul at Hemy protested at length, but in July Sprague to inform the department that the rock: 100 years at Gibraltar. One 1832 Sprague received his commission American Consul James R. Seib at post, one family, one century of ser¬ as the new consul, dated May 5 of that nearby Tangier “evidenced strong in¬ vice. year. dication of insanity” and had become, Horatio Sprague, about 21 years old in the words of the local Moroccan The absentee consul at the time, had arrived from his native authorities, “highly offensive to the The saga began in the 1830s with Boston at Gibraltar in 1811. There he public.” The unfortunate officer even¬ the appointment of Horatio Sprague of resided for the next 37 years, except tually left for England (owing Sprague Massachusetts, a merchant and ship¬ for one brief period during the War of more than $5,000). owner then residing at Gibraltar, to 1812 when he was expelled by the In August 1846, with departmental replace Consul Bernard Henry. Secre¬ British for unrecorded transgressions. permission, Horatio Sprague got his tary of State Edward Livingston, trying He married in Gibraltar, raised a fam¬ first home leave after 14 years on the to put a stop to officers' absenteeism ily, and conducted the affairs of the job (and 35 years abroad). He left his

40 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 25-year-old son, Horatiojones Sprague, in charge of the post. Horatio the There Is Only One Place To Stay younger was the Gibraltar-born, Ameri- can-citizen offspring of the consul and In Washington— his wife, Victorine Flechelle, the daugh¬ ter of a noted local family of French origin. CORPORATE QUARTERS On March 20,1848, Horatio Sprague died at Gibraltar after a long illness, “A Hotel Alternative for the Prudent Spender” having served as the American consul for almost 16 years. Horatio J. reported Short or Long Term Luxury the sad news to the Department of Apartments, Townhouses, State the day after his father’s death. In Penthouses his letter to Secretary , All Suites Tastefully Furnished & Fully the younger Horatio volunteered to Equipped Kitchens • Telephone • Cable act as consul until President James K. Television • Security Intercom System • Polk’s “pleasure is made known.” While Complete Health Spa • Concierge • Parking Laundry and Valet • MaidSvc engaged in shipping and maritime (optional) • Convenience Store insurance, he had tried unsuccessfully SPECIALIZING IN RELOCATIONS SERVING in previous years for consular appoint¬ CORPORATIONS • PENTAGON • THE ments at Malaga and Marseilles, and STATE DEPARTMENT • INSURANCE For more information, write or fax INDUSTRY • EXTENDED TRAVEL • now indicated that he would like to be CONVENIENT METRO LOCATIONS appointed in his father’s place at CORPORATE QUARTERS ' Visa and Master Card Honored Gibraltar. The department promptly named 215 8th Street, SE him to the post. Confirmed by the Washington, DC 20003 Ph. 202-543-1943 Senate in May 1848, the young Sprague received his commission via the Ameri¬ REAL ESTATE • SALES • RENTALS Fax 202-544-2374 can Legation in London, a post that MANAGEMENT exercised a vague supervisory author¬ ity over the tiny Gibraltar consular district. We concentrate on only ONE thing ... The next 50 years Managing your property. Thus began one of the more re¬ markable individual assignments in PROFESSIONAL the history of the American Foreign PROPERTY Service. Not until the next century did the department have occasion to name MANAGEMENT another principal officer at Gibraltar. OF NORTHERN In 1901, when the septuagenarian VIRGINIA INC. Horatio J. Sprague died in office, he had served actively as the U.S. consu¬ Join our growing number of lar representative at Gibraltar for more owners from Athens to Zaire than 53 years. who trust the management of His extraordinarily long tour in¬ their properties to PPM. Pro¬ cluded a wide variety of experiences fessional service with a per¬ and challenges. In 1884, Sprague’s sonal touch. nine-page workload report provides a Discounts on appliances useful overview of the consulate’s and more! Monthly comput¬ “multifarious and occasionally very erized statements. important” duties. These included ship¬ ping matters, seamen, tourists, health 5105K Backlick Rd. and quarantine notices, and free-port Annandale, VA 22003 commercial questions. He stressed that 703/642-3010 Fax: 703/642-3619 the position required his constant at¬ tendance to process shipping invoices and ships’ papers of the more than 5,400 vessels of all national registries

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 41 PRESENTED TO RICHAR] 3 LOUIS SPRAGUE AMERICAN CONSUL AT GIBRALTAR BY HIS COLLEAG1 JES IN THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE AS A ' :OKEN OF THEIR REGARD AND APPRECIATION TO COMMEMORATE THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF FAI THFUL CONTINUOUS SERVICE RENDERED AT GIB RALTAR BY THE SPRAGUE FAMILY FROM APRIL 30.1 832 TO APRIL 30. 1932

HORATIO SPR LGUE HORATIO J. S RAGUE RICHARD L. S RAGUE

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PHOTO FROM THE 1932 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

that called at Gibraltar the year before. an unheard-of sum for the times. Ad¬ in two different countries at the same These duties he performed for an miral George Dewey later acknowl¬ time. annual salary of $1,500. edged the accuracy and usefulness of But over the years, he had a range this reporting. Next in line of responsibilities even broader than Like his father, the elder Horatio, By 1875, over a quarter of a century indicated in this one report. In office Horatio Jones also had to deal with after assuming the post, Sprague had during both the Civil War and the problems arising at the neighboring arranged some help for himself at the Spanish-American War, Sprague in¬ post of Tangier. Twice, in 1877 and office then on Prince Edward’s Road, formed the State Department of ship again in 1886, he looked into charges— which served as both consulate and movements at Gibraltar. In 1862, the which proved groundless—against the family home for the consul, his wife, exploits of the first Confederate com¬ principal officer, Felix Mathews, an¬ Antonia, and eight children. Washing¬ merce raider, the Sumter, culminated other long-timer. In late 1889, the new ton appointed Sprague’s son, John with despatches on the Sumter’sblock- consul general at Tangier, William Reed Louis Sprague, as vice consul. John aded status at Gibraltar and her aban¬ Lewis, came under fire for selling citi¬ Louis died in 1886, however, and an¬ donment by the Southern crew after zenship documentation. Again on or¬ other son, Horatio L., became consular Sprague was able to prevail on local ders from Washington, Consul Sprague clerk. In 1889, Consul Sprague on his merchant houses not to provide coal investigated and this time issued a own authority left yet another son, to the vessel. A flurry of reports when comprehensive and damning report Richard Louis, in charge of the post the steamship entered the port in¬ that resulted in Lewis’s dismissal. while off on two weeks’ leave. In 1893, cluded, unusually, several telegrams Mathews returned to replace him, tak¬ the Department of State appointed to Minister Charles Francis Adams in ing charge of the Tangier consulate him vice consul, a position he held for London. general for the third and last time. the next eight years. More than 30 years later, with the From 1854 onward, Sprague, who When the end came for the now- onset of hostilities in another conflict, was known as an accomplished lin¬ elderly consul, onjuly 18,1901, Wash¬ Consul Sprague reported frequently guist, additionally discharged the du¬ ington had to look no further than the on the movement of Spanish warships. ties of consular agent at neighboring next in the family line, Vice Consul The consulate’s telegraph bill for April Algeciras in Spain. This unusual ar¬ Richard Louis Sprague. He was in through June of 1898 totalled $438.72, rangement accorded him official status place and experienced, and he was

42 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 H I Y

interested in the job. He re¬ between Europe and Africa, ceived a recess appointment as Sprague was especially busy dur¬ American consul at Gibraltar ing World War I. While America effective the day of his father’s was still neutral, Washington death, confirmed by the Senate directed the consulate to repre¬ five months later. There he re¬ sent the interests of 800 German mained for more than three prisoners of war held on the decades, not exactly a short¬ Rock by the British. After the term assignment but still not United States entered the war in nearly as long a tour as his 1917, Gibraltar provided facili¬ father’s. ties for numerous U.S. warships The new third-generation and hundreds of Americans were Consul Sprague had an interest¬ stationed there. ing, occasionally active career, During the excitement over as had his father and grandfa¬ the kidnapping of the Lindbergh ther before him. He, too, filled baby in 1932, the American con¬ the position of consular repre¬ sul achieved momentary fame sentative at Algeciras, although PHOTO FROMTHE 1932 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL in the press for his role in search¬ unofficially in his case. In 1909, The patio of the Sprague “hacienda” near San Roque, Spain- ing—to no avail—a visiting pas¬ President Theodore Roosevelt Left to right: Consul General Lowell C. Pinkerton, Mrs. Richard senger liner for the reported stayed with him on his way to Ford, Mrs. Pinkerton, and Consul Richard Louis Sprague. abductors. The eagle was Installed by the senior Horatio Sprague. shoot game in Africa. On the personal side, tall, trim, mustachioed Consul Dick Ocean crossroads tant maritime crossroads between the Sprague, a confirmed bachelor, was As American consul at the impor- Meditemanean and the Atlantic and known as an excellent host and a good

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FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 43 r AUTHORIZED EXPORTER I T O R Y GENERAL ELECTRIC athlete. Colleagues described him as found in the American Foreign Service, calm and quiet, the reputation his and “I doubt whether the service of any father and grandfather had before him. other country can boast of the equal... Pursuing his hobby of farming, he . That service has been characterized by owned a hacienda at nearby La Linea exceptional loyalty and fidelity, which GENERAL ELECTRONICS in Spain. has made the name of Sprague re¬ Following his initial entry into the spected throughout the Foreign Service INC. Consular Service in 1901, he received of the LInited States and in the foreign an appointment in offices of other gov¬ □ REFRIGERATORS □ FREEZERS 1919 as consular offi¬ By the end of April 1932. ernments.” □ RANGES □ MICROWAVE OVENS cer, class 6, and as an The New York AIR CONDITIONERS DRYERS Sprague bad been con¬ □ □ FSO-7 under the Times expressed the □ WASHERSO SMALL APPLIANCES sul for 31 years, and the □ AUDIO EQUIPMENT □ TELEVISION Rogers Act of 1924. belief that the □ DISHWASHERS □ TRANSFORM¬ There followed pro¬ three Sprague genera¬ “Spragues of ERS □ COMPLETE CATALOG motions to FSO-6 in Gibraltar” could be (Please check box) tions of Horatio, Horatio 1925 and FSO-5 in “an inspiration to Available for All Electric 1930. Jones, and Dick himself American consuls in Currents/Cycles By the end of April had filled that post for a all parts of the 1932, Sprague had century, an “instance of world.” Another Immediate Shipping/Mailing been consul for 31 newspaper re¬ From our Local Warehouse years, and the three almost hereditary office¬ marked, “Service of Sprague generations this type reflects We Can Also Furnish holding, ” as one news¬ honor upon any na¬ Replacement Parts for of Horatio, Horatio paper put it. Most Manufactures Jones, and Dick him¬ tion fortunate self had filled that post enough to have such SHOWROOM for a century, an “instance of almost representation.” A newsman asked the General Electronics, Inc. hereditary office-holding,” as one news¬ consul at the time why the authorities in 4513 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. paper put it. At Gibraltar on April 30, the United States had continued for so Washington, D C. 20016 the consular corps sponsored a lun¬ long to appoint Spragues, even though Tel. (202) 362-8300 cheon in honor of the occasion, which they were far away from the corridors of FAX (202) 363-6538 included attendance by notables from power and without political influence. TWX 710-822-9450 GENELECINC WSH the governor on down. The dean of The consul modestly and succinctly the corps presented him a telescope replied, “We always did our work and complete with tripod. U.S. consul gen¬ never bothered the State Department.” eral at Tangier, Maxwell Blake, acted After celebrating the unique occa¬ on behalf of AFSA in presenting the sion, Sprague continued to do his work a) in To (J) a> consulate a commemorative bronze and refrained from bothering the State 3 „o. o plaque. Reflecting the social customs Department. He had planned to retire in O ~CQ c O a> of a bygone era, that afternoon the 1935, but on October 16, 1934, the 63- O o i—co American consul hosted a tea dance at year-old consul died of complications a> jf < Q_ at o a local hotel In the evening, he gave a from diabetes. Never married—although O V) o> dinner party at the consul’s residence he had a close call once while on home LU LU £ o located since 1926 on Meditemmean leave, according to the recollections of a: Terrace overlooking the town, the Straits, a vice consul who served on his staff for LL 51- in Algeciras, and the nearby coast. many years—his closest relative was a tr CD O sister residing in England. U- 9 ro Secretary of State Flenry L. Stimson by letter of April 6 lauded his “worthy After a little more than 102 years, coo forebears . . . loyalty and fidelity to Washington had to look elsewhere for co trust,” noting that their service was a principal officer at Gibraltar. The new to TJ a tr c unique, there was “no other such record consul, FSO-4 Charles E. Allen, came all z O m u_ cn < 9 in in all the histoiy of the department.” The the way front Istanbul. The Sprague a. CO O (0 0) secretaiy termed his family “the highest dynasty had ended. ■ _i CO O oo to O UJ type of American official and citizen.” LU UJ a: a Long-time Assistant Secretaiy Wilbur J. A retired Foreign Service officer, o < 3 E - < o OLU Can, as well, praised the family’s years Henry Mattox teaches at the Univer¬ of service; it was “a record nowhere else sity of North Carolina. L J 44 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 SHORT-TERM RENTALS 2 weeks — 6 months The Prudential Preferred Properties APARTMENTS ^ & TOWN HOMES

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I Serving you call! Northern Virginia coterie become available). It recounts relations will prevail: “I remain con¬ 444 Days the early realization of the prisoners in vinced that there is decency in every YELLOW RIBBON: THE SECRET the ministry that “we had become bit human being and that it will yet prevail players in a drama far larger than even here.” He writes this despite moments JOURNAL OF BRUCE LAINGEN the painful one of Iranian TV pictures of of bitterness, as the hostages ride their By Bruce Laingen, Brassey’s (US) Ltd., shouting crowds swirling around the roller-coaster of emotion for 444 days. 1992, $23, hardcover, 305 pages walls of the embassy ” Up and down, In order better to deal with contem¬ Reviewed by Tom Greene in and out, the tortuous negotiations porary Iran, Laingen urges the reader to This is a remarkable book, or rather with what passed for a government understand what motivated the “stu¬ two books in one, each equally grip¬ went on. The hostages’ low point was dents” who took over the embassy, and ping and insightful. One is a probably the failure of the ayatollahs who supported them, poignant personal memoir Desert One, the aborted even though he or she may be angered of the long incarceration of rescue attempt in the spring by their modus operandi. The author the hostages in Tehran. The of 1980. shows remarkable generosity of spirit to other, interwoven with the Particularly commend¬ his jailers throughout. He refuses to first, is an insightful com¬ able is Laingen’s ability to allow bitterness to affect his perspec¬ mentary on the unfolding see beyond the hurt in¬ tive, and hopes that after the release of Iranian revolution. Both fol¬ flicted on himself, on his the hostages, pent-up emotions will not low the course of the Ira¬ colleagues and on the prevent the ultimate reestablishment of nian Revolution as it lurched United States by the hos¬ relations. It is only too bad that Laingen through the 444 days in 1979- tage affair. The Iranian revo¬ left with a sense of guilt that it all 81, during which American lution was essentially a na¬ happened on his watch, despite the fact hostages were held in Bruce Laingen tionalistic uprising that as¬ that the decision to admit the shah to the Tehran. serted itself through reli¬ United States, the proximate cause of it Baice Laingen was our gion. Much of the national¬ all, was made in Washington. charge d’affaires in Tehran in 1979- He ism and xenophobia of this revolution, Yellow Ribbon will interest students was detained at the Iranian Foreign clad in religion and anti-western dog¬ of the Iranian revolution, those inter¬ Ministry on November 4, 1979 when he matism, reflects Iran’s sense of its own ested in the state of mind of those being arrived there with two colleagues to unique place in a history at least a held hostage, and those who see im¬ protest the invasion of the American millennium older than Islam. Through¬ proved relations with Iran as in the Embassy. Laingen gives us an absorbing and detailed account of what it meant, day The author shows remarkable generosity of spirit to his jailers by endless day, to be held hostage for 444 days. The hostages had only the throughout. He refuses to allow bitterness to affect his perspec¬ clothes they were wearing, and they tive, and hopes that after the release of the hostages, pent-up were allowed erratic telephone and emotions will not prevent the ultimate reestablishment of written communication with the out¬ relations. side world. Laingen and his colleagues were buoyed by visits from members of the diplomatic corps, especially the Swiss ambassador, who represented out his book Laingen recognizes that interest of the United States. Laingen U.S. interests after relations were bro¬ Iran and the United States need to get points out that the United States should ken in the spring of 1980. along in this world—something current be prepared to have normal relations The second “book” of this memoir is diplomats and politicians could well with this important country, a point an insightful commentary on the evolu¬ keep in mind to avoid the danger that emphasized with the breakup of the tion of the Iranian Revolution, seen we see Iran as the successor to the Soviet Union, which leaves Iran the from as near the eye of the hurricane as Soviet “evil empire.” major regional power between Russia one can get (until the personal memoirs Laingen reminds us of Anne Frank’s and India. Tire initiative, however, must of the “students” and of Khomeini's faith that the essential good in human come from Iran. And (is anybody listen-

46 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 ing?) Laingen emphasizes that the Ameri¬ Central Intelligence Agency focuses 1980s. Mark Perry’s Eclipse: 'The Last can people must find a way to reduce on the contradictions caused by the Days of the CIA has corrected some of our oil dependency on uncertain and presence of a secret organization within these problems. potentially unstable regimes, such as a democracy that values openness and The American public is generally revolutionary Iran. public participation. Numerous books familiar with the serious intelligence have correctly called attention to the failures of the past 25 years, such as the Tom Greene is a retired Foreign Service need to protect democracy from the community’s inability to recognize the officer who served in Tehran and Tabriz, excesses of intelligence activities and events leading to the invasion of Czecho¬ Iran. revealed the heroes and villains in the slovakia in 1968, the October War in Cold War struggle between East and 1973, the fall of the shah in 1979, and the CIA’s Problems West. With the notable exception of collapse of the Soviet Union and the Thomas Power’s political biography of Soviet bloc in the 1980s. The causes of ECLIPSE: THE LAST DAYS OF THE CIA Richard Helms, The Man Who Kept the failure have also been debated, particu¬ By Mark Perry, William Morrow and Secrets, arguably the best book ever larly “group thinking” or the pressures Company, 1992, S25 hardcover, 320 written on the CIA, these books have to reach a consensus, the increasingly pages ignored the pressures of the White clumsy and centralized structure of the House and the policy community on intelligence community, and the unwill¬ Reviewed by Melvin A. Goodman the world of intelligence and particu¬ ingness to examine alternative or un¬ Most of the recent literature on the larly the slanting of intelligence in the popular hypotheses.

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAl • 47 ★ ★ ★ ★ BOOKS

GREENLINE FORWARDING Perry’s book has introduced a new incorrect judgments to justify ques¬ INC. and vital dimension in explaining tionable CIA activities in support of exporters specializing in flawed intelligence in recent years: the Contras in Nicaragua and so-called Appliances the role of “politicization” or slanting antiterrorist groups in Lebanon. of intelligence to support policy inter¬ Periy has successfully mined the G.E. • WHIRLPOOL ests. The CIA was designed to be congressional hearings from the con¬ SPEED QUEEN • EUREKA policy-neutral, and MOST MAJOR BRANDS Perry understands Refrigerators —Freezers that the history of the Washers—Dryers—Ranges CIA can be written as Perry’s book has introduced a new and TV's-VCR's a history of attempts vital dimension in explaining flawed Air Conditioners to politicize intelli¬ Ceiling Fans intelligence in recent years: the role of gence, that is, to cook Microwave Ovens the books. The CIA “politicization” or slanting of intelligence Replacement Parts was largely success¬ to support policy interests. The CIA was O All electric currents and cycles ful in turning back designed to be policy-neutral, and Perry Office Supplies these attempts until 1981, when William understands that the history of the CIA ASK ABOUT J. Casey became the can be written as a history of attempts to OUR FULL-COLOR, 834-PAGE director of central in¬ CATALOG. LIST PRICES politicize intelligence, that is, to cook the telligence. The ap¬ DISCOUNTED 20%. pointment of Casey, books. Auto Parts a national campaign director for Ronald PARTS SUPPLIED FOR Reagan, was the most ANY FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC partisan in the history of the CIA. This troversial nomination of Robert M. MODEL MEETING U.S. was compounded by his unprec¬ Gates in 1991 as director of the CIA SPECIFICATIONS edented status as a member of the and interviewed numerous govern¬ ► General Motors our specialty cabinet and his activist approach to¬ ment officials to draw a portrait of an Computers ward mixing intelligence and policy. unhappy intelligence agency that He and his deputy gave numerous failed to understand the momentous IBM COMPATIBLES “policy” speeches in the 1980s. events of the past 10 years. Perry’s DESKTOPS AND PORTABLES Although Periy understands the book is the first to describe these Competitive software pricing impact of politicization on the intelli¬ failures, particularly. the inability to O All CPU's 110V, 220V switchable gence product of the CIA, he never¬ predict Gorbachev’s strategic retreat theless underestimates the insidious in the 1980s and the collapse of Com¬ ★ role of Bill Casey. From the very munist regimes in East Europe in beginning, Casey argued that the 1989. If your commissary growth of international terrorism was Perry is less energetic in explaining or local market doesn't controlled by the Soviet Union, and the reasons for these intelligence fail¬ have an item you need, he tried to force that view into an ures as well as the gradual loss of we'll find it for you. intelligence estimate. Casey and Sec¬ independence at the CIA. Neither retary of State Al Haig believed that Perry’s book nor the congressional / NO ORDER IS TOO SMALL international terrorism was a “sort of hearings sufficiently explain how the Wurlitzer being played by the people CIA managed to produce an assess¬ Greenline Forwarding, Inc. in the basement of the Kremlin.” The ment, unsupported by credible evi¬ 9495 N.W. 12 Street head of the Bureau of Intelligence dence, that blamed the Soviets for the Miami, Florida 33172 and Research, Ronald Spiers, tried to assassination attempt against the pope Telephone (305) 593-6862 convince Haig that he was wrong, and in 1981, thus introducing a poisonous Facsimile (305) 593-6865 senior analysts at the CIA tried to get element into the western relationship Telex 153183 GRNLN Casey to back off. Perry writes that with the Soviet Union only several Casey persisted and the CIA produced months after the accession to power a flawed document that Secretary of of Mikhail Gorbachev. And Perry does State George Shultz and others ig¬ not explain the production of a Na¬ nored. Moreover, Casey used these tional Intelligence Estimate on Iran in

48 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 BOOKS PeaVe your 1985, which—with no facts to support at the CIA. Perry concludes that Casey’s it—advanced such spurious notions interference or “politicization” con¬ as the rise of Soviet influence and the tributed to lessening the role of intel¬ most emergence of moderates in Iran. The ligence in the national security pro¬ estimate became the policy cess and to compromising the sup¬ community’s rationale for the sale of port of the American people for the important weapons to Iran. CIA. His book is a useful analysis of Perry believes, as did Senators Wil¬ the relationship of intelligence to liam Cohen and George Mitchell in policy-making and a warning against their Men of Zeal several years ago gearing intelligence estimates to po¬ investment and Theodore Draper in A Very Thin litical strategies. Line: The Iran-Contra Affair, that a small group of people can function as Melvin A. Goodman, who teaches at the With the a secret society and produce intelli¬ National War College, analyzed the gence judgments that ignore evidence Soviet Union for the CIA. He is working and even common sense. CIA officials on a political biography of Eduard management in the 1980s ignored the advice of the Shevaradnadze. late Sherman Kent, who headed the CIA’s Office of National Estimates for Crime and Harmony more than 15 years, that intelligence should be independent of policy-mak¬ PREVENTING CRIME IN AMERICA AND ing in order to avoid bias. The CIA’s JAPAN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY analytical tradition was built on Kent’s By Robert Y. Thornton with Katsuya you trust. philosophy of competing viewpoints, Endo, M.E. Sharpe, 1992, $17.90 making sure that no single official was softcover, 240pages i'Rental and Management given overall responsibility for pro¬ of Tine Properties in ducing political intelligence. Perry cor¬ Reviewed by Robert Willner Northwest “DC, CheVy Chase, rectly argues that Kent’s structure en¬ Robert Thornton’s extensively re¬ sured disagreement and thus helped searched and thoughtful examination Pethesda and Potomac prevent politicization of intelligence. of crime prevention in the U.S. and Kent and his predecessor, William Japan deals with far more than ques¬ L. Langer, understood that policy¬ tions of law enforcement and correc¬ makers will demand simple answers tional policy. The study treats in some to complex ques¬ detail patterns of tions from intelli¬ criminal activity, gence agencies. police work, and Both were distin¬ Casey’s interference or corrections in the guished historians, “politicization” contributed United States and however, who set Japan, focusing pri¬ the general tone for to lessening the role of marily on two small research and analy¬ intelligence in the national cities—Salem, Or¬ sis at the CIA in the security process and to egon and Kawagoe. 1950s and 1960s. Thornton ana¬ Executive Housing They never permit¬ compromising the support lyzes technical and Consultants, Inc. ted the political in¬ of the American people for societal factors that 7315 Wisconsin Avenue terference with the the CIA. contribute to Suite 1020 East production of in¬ Japan’s far lower in¬ Bethesda, Maryland 20814 telligence estimates cidence of crime, 301/951-4111 that took place in while noting the ex¬ the 1980s when Bill Casey interfered ceptions to that pattern (comparable with judgments on Iran, international levels of organized crime and growing “We care for your home terrorism, Mexico, and the Soviet juvenile delinquency). Most important, Union. Casey was also responsible for however, he offers a multi-faceted pro¬ as if it Were our oWn. ” allowing one individual, Bob Gates, gram designed to adapt some of these to supervise all political intelligence concepts in the United States.

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 49 LEADERS BOOKS Classrooms to playing fields, 150 college prep courses. AP sections, all subjects. The Masters School student Causes cited in Japan’s enviable is challenged to strive, Fine visual and to achieve, to lead, performing arts. record on law compliance include tech¬ to win, and above all, Many sports, clubs, nical matters, such as police visibility, to think. She learns that cultural ancl community and the rehabilitative work of correc¬ her greatest competition service activities. tional institutions, but equally or more 7:1 student/facuity ratio. is within herself- to grow significant is a range of broader politi¬ mind, skills and talents. Boarding and Day We provide the tools, on Hudson River campus cal and societal factors. Few of the teachers, support and in Westchester County. latter will surprise anyone acquainted encouragement. Catalog. with Japanese society; among them are the strength of Japan’s family struc-

More crucial in his view, however, is Japan’s overall commitment to practices that will instill respect for law and authority at home, in the school, and in the community, on a long-term THE MASTERS SCHOOL basis. AT DOBBS FERRY Setting the standard since 1877. 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 693-1400 ture (despite widespread social change), a homogeneous society and broad consensus on values, which A sense of belonging. makes “ethics education” in schools and community a matter of course, A sense of self. rigid handgun control, and police au¬ thority—willingly accepted—that Fay School, a coeducational junior would conflict with U.S. constitutional boarding and day school (day: grades principles. 1-9; boarding: grades 6-9), is com¬ The strength of the book, however, mitted to providing an outstanding lies in the perspective in which it education in a structured environ¬ places these observations. Thornton ment for students with diverse back¬ notes a number of practices that the grounds and abilities. Its program United States can emulate, and in fact emphasizes values, and recognizes has adopted in some measure, such as both effort and achievement in all the chonai kai community organiza¬ facets of campus life. Fay School tion (which has an incipient U.S. par¬ offers small classes, comprehensive allel in the Neighborhood Watch con¬ programs in academics, the arts, and cept). More crucial in his view, how¬ athletics, and caters to children of all ever, is Japan’s overall commitment to ability levels. Its programs are practices that will instill respect for law enhanced by excellent facilities and authority at home, in the school, situated on an attractive semi-rural and in the community on a long-term campus 28 miles west of Boston. basis. This does not mean, Thornton makes clear, that the United States must adopt Lois V. Poirot, Director of Admission, Japan’s traditional emphasis on unifor¬ FAY Fay School, 48 Main Street, mity and acceptance of authority, but SCHOOL Southborough, MA 01772-9106 he argues, given Japan’s success in Est. 1866 (508) 485-0100 Fax: (508) 481-7872 adapting foreign ideas without sacri¬ ficing key cultural values, “America

50 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 BOOKS LET EUROPE should not be too proud to learn from Japan, especially in such a critical area BE YOUR CAMPUS as the prevention and control of crime.” Further, he points out, “Americans LEYSIN AMERICAN SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND must realize that if we are going to GRADES 9 THROUGH 12, PG YEAR continue our present philosophy, SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM whereby the rights and freedoms of the individual are paramount, we must be prepared to accept a higher crime Highly respected, private, coeducational, American International and delinquency rate than that of a boarding school in the French Swiss Alps, near Lake Geneva. more regulated society such as Japan.” Successful American College Prep, Advanced Placement, and the With this statement Thornton places International Baccalaureate programs. SAT testing Center. Finest squarely at the top of our social agenda the perpetually contentious theoreti¬ sports and recreation programs in all of Europe. Magnificent skiing “at cal question of how to balance indi¬ our doorstep”. Full U.S. and European Accreditations. vidual rights against societal needs. Thornton brings unusual creden¬ Thomas F. Rouillard tials to this work. As attorney general L.A.S. U.S. Director of Admissions of the state of Oregon for 16 years and Box 4016, Portsmouth, NH 03802-4016 subsequently an Appellate Court judge, Tel: 603.431.7654 he is an experienced practitioner of Fax: 603.431.1280 law and order, as well as an old-style liberal for whom the essence of the word lies in “liberty.” He has also been .x'TheOnlyAmerican School ln theSwjssAlps a student of Japanese language and culture since his World War II days at the Anny Language School and has visited Japan 11 times, including two A boarding periods of extended study and re¬ The Grier School school search that led to this work. for girls While one could criticize aspects of in grades 7-12 the book—a few comparisons seem A supportive faculty and family environment contribute to the success of the educational experience labored and some of the topic headings at Grier. A two-track academic program come across as redundant—it is, all in combines with strong arts and athletic all, nutritious food for thought, whether programs to ensure that girls enjoy a well-rounded and productive one’s primary interest lies in under¬ secondary school experience. standing Japan or in seeking ways to One of Grier School's most attractive qualities for Foreign Service families improve life in the United States. is the fact that our students are 100% boarding. As a result, the Robert T. Willner, a retired Foreign school offers a very rich variety of activities on weekends. In addition, the B Service officer, is executive director of school provides transportation to and the Oregon International Council from airports at holiday time and organizes school sponsored trips during the Thanksgiving and spring breaks for N students who are unable to go home. Foreign Service Located near Penn State University, the Grier School is three hours away from Grievance: The Book Washington, DC by car and is also easily r7 reached by airplane and Amtrak train. A VIOLATION OF TRUST A $1500 tuition reduction is offered by By Joseph S. Salzburg, Sovereign the Grier School to children of Foreign Service employees. Books, 1991, $19,50 hardcover, 306 pages For more information, please contact: Director of Admissions Grier School Reviewed by Daniel Newberry Tyrone, PA 16686 Joseph Salzburg has produced a (814) 684-3000 FAX (814) 684-2177 roman a clef about rural development

FEBRUARY 1993 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • 51 BOOKS

officers in the U.S. Agency for Interna¬ stan, Nayan Chanda on Indochina, tional Development mission in Af¬ Benjamin Crosby on Central America, ghanistan. One hopes that the novel Carol Lancaster on the Horn of Africa, is not also autobiographical, for the and Mark Chona and Jeff Herbst on protagonist—called Bernard Benign— is conspicuously lacking in qualities that would sustain the sympathy of ...the problem is sufficiently the reader. More disconcerting is the bizarre feature of having the author’s pervasive to call for a greater name appear at the top of each of the international community role; book’s 306 pages. a new International Fund for The plot of A Violation of Trust is built around Bernard Benign’s attempt Reconstruction is needed; to advance from a limited appoint¬ and the keys to success are ment as a USAID rural development local and regional planning, St. George's School officer to a career appointment. A pragmatism, and continued founded 1896 blow-by-blow account of Bernard’s “trial" before a grievance board occu¬ integration of political and Coeducational, pies 114 pages, or more than a third of economic perspectives. grades 9-12 the book. The episode is indescrib¬ ably tedious, and the reader is left to « 285 boarding and 37 wonder why Benign ever wanted ca¬ day students, from 17 reer status in an organization with Southern Africa) offer specific sug¬ foreign countries and 30 such Byzantine personnel practices. gestions in each region and some states Salzburg does occasionally inter¬ challenging broader ideas for dealing ject notes on the anthropological and with “post-Cold War” reconstruction. ° a rigorous academic political landscape of Afghanistan. program led by a sup¬ Their principal insights are: the Here too the reader is disappointed portive, residential problem is sufficiently pervasive to because one finds few insights that call for a greater international com¬ faculty are not available in the better travel munity role; a new International Fund ® AP courses offered in books on Afghanistan. for Reconstruction is needed; and the all subject areas keys to success are local and regional Daniel Newberry is a retired Foreign planning, pragmatism, and continued • term at sea in the Service officer. integration of political and economic Caribbean, focusing on perspectives. marine science Picking up the Pieces This book is strong on substance • secure, 200-acre and prescription but does not go into campus overlooking the AFTER THE WARS: RECONSTRUCTION the organizational and political con¬ Atlantic Ocean IN AFGHANISTAN, CENTRAL AMERICA, straints of mounting a major construc¬ tion and reconstruction effort. Despite • comprehensive INDOCHINA, THE HORN OF AFRICA, the ending of the Cold War, most programs in the arts, AND SOUTHERN AFRICA national governments are still orga¬ athletics, and community Edited by Anthony Lake, Transaction nized along traditional national secu¬ service Publishers, 1991, $24.95 hardcover, rity-oriented foreign policy and de¬ $15.95 softcover, 196 pages • financial aid available fense lines. The organizational basis for a large and sustained development Reviewed by John D. Stempel For more information, contact: effort is shaky, and the political will to Jay Doolittle National Security Adviser-designate undertake it is questionable. These Director of Admission Tony Lake has assembled an excel¬ issues need to be addressed next. ■ St. George's School lent set of contributors to this discus¬ Newport, RI02840 sion of how the world is dealing with, Former Foreign Service officer John D. 401-847-7565 and should deal with, the lurching Stempel is now director of the Patterson FAX:401-848-0420 toward peace in several Third World School of Diplomacy and International theaters of conflict. He and his con¬ Commerce at the University of tributors (Selig Harrison on Afghani¬ Kentucky.

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Brokers with Foreign AUSTIN, TEXAS: Lakeway GRI for appt. at your conve¬ WALK TO NEW FSI from Service overseas living experi¬ homes and homesites outside nience (304) 258-4604. HOME¬ beau all brick 3 lvl TH w/2 ma¬ ence and 13 years in residential of Austin on 65-mile-long Lake STEAD PROPERTIES 209 1/2 N. sonry fpl, hdw firs, sep DR, BA real estate. We work for you. Travis. Three 18-hole golf Washington St. Berkeley $219,950 call Gordon (703) JOANN PIEKNEY OR JAMES courses, World of Tennis Cen¬ Springs, WV 25411,Gary K. 243-7889. BETT ER HOMES REAL TY GOLDEN, 301 Maple Avenue ter, 400-slip marina, 4000 ft. air¬ Olsen, Broker. (703) 532-5100. West, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel. strip. Contact ROY & ASSOCIATES ELEGANT APARTMENTS WASHINGTON D.C., (703) 938-0909, Fax: (703) 281- for information, 2300 Lohmans AT RIVER PLACE. Arlington, ARLING TON Personalized re¬ 9782. Crossing, Suite 122, Austin, TX, VA; Efficiencies one-, two-bed- location, short, or long term. MANOR SERVICES: For¬ 78734 (512) 263-2181. rooms, two blocks from metro, We specialize in walk-to-Metro mer federal law enforcement BACK FOR TRAINING? FSI. Bike or Metro to Pentagon. sales and furnished rentals. Ar¬ agent letting his 10-year resi¬ LEAVE? D.C. TOUR? We are Superior furnishings, immedi¬ lington Villas, 1-1/2 blocks dential management company the Washington Metro Area ate phone and CATV, micro- from Metro, luxurious studio, expand upon retirement. Best short-term rental specialists. wave, linens and many one, two, three bedroom. Fully tenant screening. Frequent Excellent locations. Wide price amenities. Site has spa, rates furnished. Washer/dryer, mi¬ property inspection. Mort¬ range. In Virginia walk to FSI. within your per diem. Call or crowave, cable, linens. AMERI¬ gages paid. Repairs. Close per¬ In D.C. and Maryland walk to fax SOJOURNER HOUSING at CAN REALTY GROUP, 915 N. sonal attention. We’re small but Metro. Large selection of fur¬ (301) 762-7692 for brochure or Stafford St., Arlington, VA very effective. FS and military nished and equipped effi¬ reservations. 22203. (703) 524-0482 or (703) references. Lowest rates. Best ciencies, one-bedrooms, EXECUTIVE CLUB AR¬ 276-1200. Children welcomed. service. TEP.SH NORTON, Box two-bedrooms and some fur¬ LINGTON & OLD TOWN AL¬ Pets on approval. 42429, Washington, D.C. nished houses. Many welcome EXANDRIA. Immaculate and WILL YOU NEED a fully 20015, (202) 363-2990. pets. For brochures & info: EX¬ beautifully furnished apart¬ furnished apartment five CALL LINDSEY PEAKE for ECUTIVE HOUSING CONSULTANTS, ments with full hotel services. minutes’ walk from FSI and experienced property manage¬ INC., Short Term Rental, 7315 One, two-bedrooms, some Rosslyn subway? We have first ment with superior profes¬ Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1020 with dens, all with equipped class efficiencies, one-bed- sional staff and agents. Our East, Bethesda, MD 20814. kitchens. Complimentary shut¬ rooms, and some two-bed- only business is taking care of (301) 951-4111. Reserve early! tle to Metro, Rosslyn, and Pen¬ rooms and penthouses in River your Northern Virginia home Avoid disappointment! tagon. Health Club and Place. They are completely fur¬ with care and personal atten¬ BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV: outdoor pool. Many extras. nished including CATV, all util¬ tion. Our steady growth is en¬ Offers living at its best. Ask Rates within your per diem. ities, telephone, linens, etc. tirely due to referrals. That’s those of us who’ve chosen it! Shorter or longer terms avail¬ Short-term leases of 2+ months references! LINDSEY PEAKE Be it land now for future build¬ able. EXECUTIVE CLUBS, 610 available. Write FOREIGN SER¬ MANAGEMENT, INC. Tel. (703) ing (or investment), a cabin for Bashford Lane, Alexandria, VA VICE ASSOCIATES, P.O. Box 448-0212, Fax (703) 448-9652. restful weekends, or a 22304 (703) 739-2582, (800) 12855, Arlington, VA 22209- 6842 Elm Street, Suite 303, downscaled (and "down 535-2582, Fax (703) 486-2694, 8855. Call or Fax 1-703-636- McLean, VA 22101. taxed" ) home here, we’ll help (703) 548-0266. 7606. Children welcome. WASHINGTON MANAGE¬ you find it. For example: FARA APARTMENT RENT¬ Please send us dates. MENT SERVICES: Residential CACAPON EAST: 37 lots ALS: Fully furnished efficiency WHATCOM COUNTY, property management is our atop Cacapon Mountain adja¬ and one-bedroom apartments. Washington: The perfect retire¬ only business. Call, write, or cent to the State Park where Two blocks from State Depart¬ ment locale, located halfway fax MARY BETH OTTO, 2015 Q St. there’s golfing, swimming, ten¬ ment. Within per diem rates. between Seattle and Vancou¬ NW, Washington, D.C. 20009- nis and averaging 3 acres from Call (202) 463-3910. Fax (202) ver, BC in a dazzling scenic set¬ Tel. (202) 462-7212, Fax (202) $25,000. With spectacular 467-4871. Write FARA HOUSING, ting with islands to the west 332-0798. views...and going fast. Rm 2928, Dept, of State, Wash¬ and mountains to the east. CLASSIFIEDS

Whether your pursuits are (if not at home leave a mes¬ A1CPA, Tax Division and Per¬ Have your will reviewed and physical or intellectual, sage). sonal Financial Mgmt. Divi¬ updated, or a new one pre¬ Whatcom County can provide ATTORNEY, FORMER sion. (703) 242-8559. P.O. Box pared. No charge for initial them: golf, tennis, boating, FOREIGN SERVICE OFFI¬ 1144 Vienna, VA. 22183- consultation, M.BRUCE HIRSH- fishing , biking, skiing, theater, CER: Extensive experience ORN, BORING, PARROTT & PILGER, university courses etc. Contact with tax problems peculiar to Suite D, 307 Maple Avenue, Kathy Shropshire of FAIRHAVEN the Foreign Service. Available West, Vienna, VA 22180. Tel. MAILORDER REALTY for information at 592 for consultation, tax planning, (703) 281-2161, Fax (703) 281- Trout Lake Dr., Bellingham, and preparation of returns. AVON for free catalog 9464. WA 98226. Tel: (206) 676-4683- M. BRUCE HIRSHORN, BORING mailed to you, write: STEPHANIE YOUR FLORIDA CON¬ PARROTT & PILGER, Suite D, 307 Y. HUGHES, 713 Grandview MISCELLANEOUS NECTION. Enjoy the best of Maple Avenue, West, Vienna, Drive, Alexandria, VA 22305. living all year. Former FSO Paul VA 22180. Tel. (703) 281-2161, RESIDENT MANAGER Byrnes, PRUDENTIAL FLORIDA Fax: (703) 281-9464. POSITION International Stu¬ BOOKS REALTY, 100 N. Tamiami Tr., COMPLETE TAX AND AC¬ dent house near Dupont Cir¬ Sarasota, FL 34236. Can help COUNTING SERVICES. Spe¬ BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! cle, Washington, DC Serving with property anywhere in cialize in Foreign Service and We have thousands in stock, 90 graduate students, differing Florida. Call Paul toll free, 1- overseas contractor situations, do special-orders daily, search in nationalities. International 800-766-1610. VIRGINIA M. TEST, CPA 2200 E. for out-of-print books. Visa or work experience, food and NORTHERN VIRGINIA: Patrick Lane, #27, Las Vegas, Mastercard, THE VERMONT BOOK management skills and mature Vineyard, beautiful mature 6 NV 89119, (702) 795-3648. SHOP, 38 Main Street, Mid- judgment required. Negotia¬ acre Chardonnay, Cabernet ATTORNEYS specializing dlebury, VT 05753- ble salary, private apartment, vineyard on 32 acres. View, in tax planning and return YOUR PERSONAL BOOK¬ full board, health plan. Apply: pond, barns, 3 bedroom, 2500 preparation for the Foreign STORE AWAY FROM HOME: Director, (202) 232-4007. sq. ft. residence. 75 minutes to Service community available Order any U.S. book in print. AIR ANIMAL, “the pet Washington, DC. Agent : CAR¬ for consultation on the tax im¬ Store credit available, SALMA¬ movers” an IATA air freight for¬ OLE MILLER, ARMFIELD, MILLER & plications of investment deci¬ GUNDI BOOKS Ltd. 66 Main warder USA origin pet ship¬ ASSOCIATES., Middleburg, VA. sions, business-related Street, Cold Spring, NY 10516. ping services 4120 W. (703) 364-2969, Fax: (703) 687- deductions, separate mainte¬ Cypress-Tampa, FL 33607. 5195. nance allowances, real estate Voice 813/879-3210, Fax (813) ATTORNEYS/WILLS purchases and rentals, home 874-6722. USA/Canada 1-800- leave deductions, audits, etc. TAX RETURNS FORMER FOREIGN SER¬ 635-3448. Contact Dr. W. Contact Susan Sanders or Paul VICE OFFICER NOW PRAC Woolf-Veterinarian. AES A TAX COUNSEL: Clifford, CLIFFORD, FARIIA & TICING LAW in Problems of tax and finance: SANDERS, 1606 New Hampshire D.C./Maryland, general prac¬ CLASSIFIED INFO. Never a charge to AFSA mem¬ Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. tice, estate planning, real es¬ bers for telephone guidance. 20009 (202) 667-5111, Fax: tate, domestic. Gregory V. Rates: $1.00 per word (10- R.N. Bob Dussell (ex-A.I.D.) at (202) 265-1474. Powell, FUREY, DOOLAN & ABELL, word minimum) & $2.00 for tax work both within and with¬ FREE TAX CONSULTA¬ 8401 Connecticut Ave., PH-1, bold type exceeding first three out I.R.S. since 1937. Now TION for overseas personnel. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. (301) words. Phone number, zip solely in practice to assist For¬ We process returns as re¬ 652-6880. code, all permitted abbrevia¬ eign Service employees and ceived, without delay. Prepara¬ SPECIALIZING IN SERV¬ tions (P.O. Box, S.A.S.E., etc.) their families. Also lectures on tion and representation by ING FOREIGN SERVICE OF¬ count as one word. TAX LAW at FSI every month enrolled agents, avg. fee $195 FICERS AND THEIR Payment: First insertions since 1970 at Rosslyn, VA. BOB includes return and TAX Trax, FAMILIES - Our firm can assist must be prepaid with the ad. DUSSELL (703) 841-0158 and unique mini-financial planning you in drafting wills and pow¬ All checks should be made Fax (703) 522-5726. Office is review with recommenda¬ ers of attorney, administering payable to: FOREIGN SER¬ 100 feet from Virginia Square tions. Full planning available. estates, establishing conserva¬ VICE JOURNAL, and mailed Metro station at 3601 Fairfax Milton E. Carb, EA, and Barry torships and guardianships to: 2101 E Street, NW, Washing¬ Drive, Arlington, Virginia B. De Marr, EA, CFP, FINANCIAL and providing advice on real ton, D.C. 20037. 22201. FORECASTS, metro location 933 estate matters. Prompt re¬ Classifieds may be faxed to: REPRESENTATION BE¬ N. Kenmore St. #217 Arlington, sponse to your inquiries. CLIF¬ (202) 338-8244, with all pay¬ FORE THE IRS: Can handle VA 22201 (703) 841-1040, Fax FORD, FARIIA & SANDERS 1606 ment information, including tax return preparation, audit (703) 522-3815. New Hampshire Ave., N.W. your name, phone number, ad¬ collection and other IRS mat¬ ROLAND S. HEARD, CPA Washington, D.C. 20009 Fax: dress and check ters. For inquiries contact John has worked overseas and is fa¬ (202) 265-1474 Tel: (202) 667- number as well as the T. Hanna, Enrolled Agent. miliar with Foreign Service and 5111. month/months your ad is to JOHN T. HANNA, INC., P.O. contract employee situations, WILLS/ESTATE PLAN¬ run. (Please indicate the mail BOX 6202 Mclean, VA 22106- computerized tax services, fi¬ NING by attorney who is a for¬ date of check and enclose hard 6202 or phone (703) 442-0560 nancial planning, member mer Foreign Service officer. copy of ad.) the Rock . . . but always to remember that it was “an asset of the Sprague family.” Our consulate was really a diminutive legation. . . . No American ever applied for aid but that he received it, and there were many mighty queer specimens that applied. [One day] the hospital called and said they had an American with the “DTs" and what were they to do. Dick didn’t hesitate, “Give him a bed and proper More on the Spragues treatment, 1 will take care of him,” for all of By Arthur D. Hayden, formerly vice consul to Gibraltar which he paid, although the fellow was from the Foreign Service Journal, February 1943 not an American seaman. Incidentally, Dick Sprague would al¬ he first person to leap from the Sprague, my chief-to-be, who literally ways clear a ship at any hour of the 24 on T bouncing tender on to the sway took the ship by storm with the magne¬ any day of the week. His motto was that ing platform at the bottom of the tism of his personality. And so began 17 no ship should ever be kept waiting. . . . long gangway of steps that lead of the happiest years of my life, as his He would never allow divided responsi¬ up the big ship’s side was the faultlessly and his father’s successor as our vice bility. When at post his was the entire attired, in all white from his spotless consul at Gibraltar. responsibility. During periods of being in helmet to buckskin shoes and bamboo In Washington before starting I was charge he was never away from his post stick, American Consul Richard L. warned not to begin to think I owned overnight. ■

Poster Key: The first person to correctly identify all the above newsmakers wins a full-size, two-color poster of the Lurie illustration. If nobody can match all the faces, the one who comes the closest takes the prize. Entries must be received by April 1. Send list of names (with corresponding numbers) to: AFSA CONTEST, 2101 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. Readers of the Journal may purchase the 24"X30" poster direct from Cartoonews by sending $30 (checks only) to Cartoonews Inc., 721 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

60 • FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1993 O RANGE: COUNTY

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